The Westchester County Association (WCA) is the leading economic development and business advocacy organization serving Westchester County and the region.
NEW: The WCA has launched a series of advocacy and action initiatives designed to drive economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and to foster long-term growth.
The initiatives are outlined in “Towards a Stronger Future”, a newly-released report from the WCA’s Post Pandemic Working Group (PPWG), which is a select committee of business, nonprofit, and education and government leaders who are working collaboratively to support the recovery and long-term prosperity of the region. Read the press release.
WCA Smart Growth Focus Areas
With the passage of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, New York now has one of the strongest climate change laws in the world. In order to meet these ambitious goals and become a leader in
the fight for a clean energy future, professional stakeholders across the political spectrum will need to be proactive.
More than just an immense benefit to the people who live in the Westchester region, proximity to world-class health facilities is a key business and talent driver. Regionally, the healthcare and life science sector contributes over $18 billion in economic impact and employs well over 70,000.
As the economy reopens, Westchester is poised to become an attractive destination for businesses and residents wishing to remain close to New York City but with a less dense urban environment. As the pandemic reshapes the commercial landscape, our region may experience changes in occupancy and use trends in the office, retail, hospitality, research and development, and industrial sectors. We should continue to encourage suburban clusters (comprising attractive office space close to retail and lifestyle amenities) through proper development incentives and zoning modifications.
Regions that focus on talent and workforce development benefit economically. How is the WCA connecting businesses with talent?
Broadband and wireless communications is the means by which we stay connected to our workplaces, schools, healthcare providers, news and entertainment, and each other – as evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic – where real time video platforms became the norm in work from home, remote learning, and telemedicine environments. But the pandemic has also exacerbated the effects of a long-standing digital divide in our region, where, for example, many children are unable to participate in remote learning due to the lack of device ownership and connectivity.
Upcoming Events
Understanding the Economics & Financial Models for Improved Housing Affordability
Economic Development Begins with Pro-Housing Policy
Leaders from the real estate community discuss the economics and financial models for improved housing affordability in Westchester. This special discussion brought to you by WCA Real Estate & Housing Task Force.
Smarter, Healthier Communities
All Access Healthcare: Healthcare Innovations & Next Gen Connectivity
Technology experts will come together to discuss the future of telehealth in a post-pandemic world, addressing questions and concerns about 5G technology, and the digital infrastructure investments needed for Westchester and our region.
News and Updates
Many in the business community believe the county’s economy has the fundamentals in place to stage a strong recovery as vaccines become more available and schools transition back to normal operations. “We are pretty resilient,” says Michael Romita, president and CEO of the White Plains-based Westchester County Association. “We have a pretty diverse economic ecosystem. It is not dependent on any single sector of the economy.”
The first Earth Day was April 22, 1970. Considered a marker for the modern environmental movement, it was born of a bipartisan effort between a Democratic Senator from Wisconsin, a Republican Congressman from California and a small cohort of student activists. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency did not yet exist. Neither did any of the laws or international treaties that now make up the canon of environmental protection.
The Westchester County Association (WCA) is hosting their 2nd Annual Regional Workforce Summit on Friday, April 23, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EST. Join the WCA and leaders from business, education, government, and nonprofits as they gather to discuss the mega shifts occurring in our region’s talent ecosystem. This event will showcase how businesses are leveraging the “new normal” in training, recruiting, and retention developments of the region’s talent.
Join WCA today
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