News & Media

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Securities or CARES Act is a sweeping two trillion-dollar federal stimulus passed in response to a sudden financial crisis caused by a poorly understood enemy. The Act focuses more on the acute economic impacts of the crisis than its long-term implications. It is more triage than treatment. Accordingly, once the damage is stabilized and the economic harm can better discerned, the federal government will need to step up again, and in a big way.

The Westchester County Association and Community Capital New York streamed a Facebook Live event Thursday about loan programs for small-business owners strapped for cash during the coronavirus crisis. Kim Jacobs, executive director of Elmsford-based Community Capital New York, hosted the informational session on the Westchester County Association's Facebook page. She was joined by WCA President Michael Romita at the event.

Michael Romita settles into a chair on Day One at the helm of the Westchester County Association, ready to talk about priorities and concerns, from the digital divide to the coronavirus to the shutting of Indian Point and housing in Westchester

A partner in a Washington, D.C.-based federal government affairs and public policy consulting firm has been selected to become the next president and CEO of the Westchester County Association, taking the position formerly occupied by William M. Mooney Jr., who recently retired after 15 years on the job. Michael N. Romita, who is a resident of Harrison, will assume the position effective March 1, it was announced today by William P. Harrington Jr., WCA’s chairman.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposed plan to charge tolls to people who pass through a very short stretch of Greenwich while driving on Interstate 684, which is mostly in New York, will add an unwarranted financial burden to hundreds of thousands of people in our region.

If the turnout of more than 600 business, community and political leaders on Nov. 13 to honor William M. Mooney Jr., retiring president and CEO of the Westchester County Association, didn’t send a strong enough message, New York’s Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo attended and presented Mooney with the Excelsior Medal, the state’s highest honor for public service.

Since Montefiore Health System announced plans to close Mount Vernon Hospital last week, replacing it with a new $41 million dollar healthcare complex on Sandford Boulevard that will modernize local care, there has been some negative reaction that claims the health system is turning its back on the community and leaving residents exposed without adequate medical services. In my opinion, just the opposite is true, and some Mount Vernon residents, politicians, and activists are taking a shortsighted view that is not based on facts or reality. No one is served by misinformation.

WCA continues to fight for our regional hospitals and all patients/employees against the abuses of the health insurance companies

The 99-year-lease with developer Fareri Associates is for 60 acres of undeveloped county-owned land called “The North 60” on the Grasslands campus near Westchester Medical Center.

In this special issue of City & State, we take a closer look at the lesser-known – but no less influential – movers and shakers of Westchester County. Since we cover politicians on a day-to-day basis, we limited this list to those who are not strictly in government but instead influence it from the outside.

We await the findings of the Medicaid Redesign Team and we are dedicated to working with our State representatives to ensure that the team’s recommendations do not unduly burden Westchester’s health systems or place patients and others in need at unnecessary risk.

William P. Harrington, Jr., Chairman of the Westchester County Association (WCA), announced today that Michael N. Romita will become the next President & CEO of the WCA, the County’s leading economic development and business advocacy organization, effective March 1, 2020.

The Westchester County Association (WCA) – Westchester’s leading economic development and business advocacy organization – today announced the appointment of twelve new members to its board of directors, a new vice chair of its board of directors, and three board members to its executive committee.

Nationally-renowned experts and local stakeholders will convene to discuss innovative solutions to the region’s employer recruitment and retention challenges at the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) first-ever Regional Workforce Development Summit, to be held at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, NY, on Thursday, January 16th at 8 a.m.

William P. Harrington, Chairman of the Westchester County Association (WCA), announced today that John E. Ritacco, a financial services executive who was the former President and CEO of CMS Bancorp Inc., a publicly traded financial institution, will be appointed as Interim President/CEO of the WCA, effective January 1, 2020, as the search for a new leader progresses. Ritacco will remain in the position until a successor to William M.  Mooney, Jr., the current President and CEO, is found.

County’s leading business advocacy association embarks on a vigorous process to find its new leader as economic activity burgeons in the region.

Westchester County Association hosts annual wine pairing dinner to support healthcare advocacy initiatives

White Plains, N.Y. (July 22, 2019) – Jason Chapin has joined the Westchester County Association (WCA) as Director of Workforce Development. Before joining WCA, Mr. Chapin coordinated and managed federal, state and foundation grants for The City University of New York, The State University of New York and The WorkPlace, a nationally recognized not-for-profit based in Connecticut. In addition, he has managed state-wide education, training and employment programs in New York and Connecticut that have served more than 25,000 adults and their families.

Westchester County Association (WCA) brought together nearly 300 regional leaders in commercial and residential real estate, as well as government and planning officials and community organizations, for its 3rd Annual Real Estate Summit

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (January 10, 2019) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer this morning at the Westchester County Association Breakfast signed signed a 99-year lease agreement for the North 60 project. The agreement for the county-owned land is the key to the development of a $1.2 billion biotech project on the Grasslands Reservation in Valhalla.