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
What employers should know about the unique challenges & solutions for women in the workforce
Understanding & Addressing the Child Care Crisis in Westchester
Join the WCA as we discuss what employers should know about the unique challenges for women in the workforce.
Leveraging the “New Normal” in Training, Recruiting and Retention of our Talent
2nd Annual Regional Workforce Summit
Join the WCA as leaders from business, education, government, and nonprofits gather to discuss the mega shifts occurring in our region’s talent ecosystem.
6th Annual Real Estate & Housing Summit
Save the Date!
News and Updates
The Westchester County Association (WCA), and Nonprofit Westchester (NPW), are hosting a free virtual event, An Open Conversation with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, on February 26, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. EST. This event will discuss the most pressing issues impacting regional businesses and nonprofits and will include an audience Q&A.
Topics that will be addressed in this event include:
• COVID relief and the rest of Senator Schumer’s 2021 legislative agenda
• Economic development priorities in the lower Hudson Valley
• The importance of nonprofits to the regional economy
• The challenges of legislating in the current political environment
"What 5G means in practical terms is data speeds that will be up to 100 times faster than what we have today. Latency or lag periods are being halved now, and in the future will be even faster, with connection density vastly increased, meaning more devices that can function in a given area." Michael N. Romita
The optimist looks beyond the current socioeconomic and political environment and calls out a light at the end of the tunnel. The pessimist might acknowledge that despite the distant light, we are still in the tunnel. And the fatalist might view that distant light as belonging to an oncoming train. As president and CEO of the Westchester County Association, Michael Romita is neither the optimist, pessimist or fatalist. But he is a realist about the state of the country's economy.
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