Wayne Horsley was first elected to public office in 1999 as a Councilman in the Town of Babylon. As a Babylon Councilman Wayne Horsley was the Chairperson for Economic Development and worked to bring a first class hotel to the Route-110 corridor. Legislator Horsley continues to be in the forefront in redeveloping the Route-110 corridor as Long Island’s premier business center.
Prior to becoming a Babylon Councilman, Wayne served residents as Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals and as Deputy Director of the Industrial Development Agency. While working at the IDA he recruited countless businesses to the Town of Babylon through creative financial incentives that kept businesses and jobs on Long Island.
Legislator Horsley continues to strengthen the Long Island economy through his work as Chairman of the County Legislature’s Economic Development, Higher Education and Energy Committee.
In chairing the Economic Development Committee, Legislator Horsley and the Levy Administration, have convinced 5 companies considering moving out of Suffolk to stay through Empire Zone designations, which have resulted in:
- $20 million in investments in the County economy, through new facilities and equipment
- The retention of 652 jobs for County residents
- The creation of 306 new jobs for County residents
In addition, Legislator Horsley co-sponsored new appointments to the County Industrial Development Agency, that have lead the IDA to close on 10 separate projects that are:
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Investing $190 million into the County’s economy
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Retaining 1,200 jobs
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And creating 800 new jobs, that will return $120 million to worker’s pockets.
Working with the Levy administration, Legislator Horsley’s paramount countywide initiatives has been the Wi – Fi Long Island proposal. By working with colleagues in Nassau County, this proposal will make history by creating the nation’s first bi-county Wi – Fi Network without using taxpayer funds.
In addition to his professional experience, Legislator Horsley maintains a large presence in the local community. Some of his affiliations have included:
- The Babylon Beautification Society, President
- The Route-110 Redevelopment Corporation, Executive Board Member
- Babylon Rotary International, Environment Program Coordinator
- Babylon Village Historical Society, Trustee
- Babylon Village Public Sculpture Committee, Chair
Legislator Horsley completed his Doctorate in Modern World History at St. John’s University, where he also taught as an adjunct Professor at the Jamaica Campus. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Dakota Wesleyan University, a Masters of Public Administration from Bernard Baruch College, and a Master of Modern History from St. John’s University.
Wayne has resided in Babylon for more than 40 years. He and his wife, Barbara, attended Babylon High School together and continue to live in Babylon, where they are the proud parents of Scott, Bennet, Jordan, Jacqueline, and daughter-in-law Mao, and proud grandparents of Luna.
