WCA in the News

WHITE PLAINS ‒ As lawmakers in Washington consider steep spending cuts, leaders of Lower Hudson hospitals and research institutions warn that potential cuts to Medicaid and research funding could lead to job losses and reduced access to health care services. A shift in federal funding priorities has put the health care industry at risk, officials say.

As a wave of new tariffs hits America’s trading partners, Westchester builders are scrambling to adapt. While it’s too early to gauge the full impact on costs and prices on building materials, those in the Westchester business community expressed concern about rising prices, business stability and housing affordability. Michael Romita, president of Westchester County Association, said development projects are likely to become more expensive to build. As a result, fewer projects will move forward, which could ultimately affect housing affordability.

County Executive Ken Jenkins told a breakfast gathering of the Westchester County Association that the future of the county’s airport and the Westchester County Center will receive priority attention from his administration. Jenkins, who is running in the Feb. 11 special election to determine who will serve out the remainder of now Congressman George Latimer’s term, appeared at a breakfast event that helped launch WCA’s 75th anniversary year. Jenkins is running against Republican Christine Sculti in the special election.

After seven years as second fiddle, Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins now leads the band. The business community had a glimpse of what’s to come the morning of Thursday, Jan. 23, when Jenkins held what was billed as a “fireside chat” with Westchester County Association President Michael Romita at the Pelham Country Club. The talk came as the Jenkins administration faced its first crisis: the decision of Standard Amusements to terminate its 30-year management agreement to run Playland amusement park after only three years. Among other issues on Jenkins' mind: the future of Westchester County Center; the bogged-down Westchester County Airport master plan; and the rise in county property taxes in its special districts.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins speaks at the Westchester County Association's annual business breakfast at Pelham Country Club Jan. 23, 2025.

Westchester County crossed a milestone when the last census in 2020 revealed there are now more than one million people living here. So, with more folks competing for a housing stock that hasn’t kept pace, the result is predictable. “It’s Economics 101,” Tim Foley of the Building & Realty Institute told a gathering of more than 75 at the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber breakfast on Jan. 9 “If the supply is inadequate, the prices go sky high. In addition, with the migration up from New York City during Covid, the housing inventory shrunk and the prices went bananas.”

The U.S. healthcare system is facing a dual crisis: a critical shortage of nurses and an even more severe shortage of nursing faculty. This interconnected challenge creates a dangerous threat to the system’s capacity to meet current and future healthcare needs, with dire consequences for patient care quality.

An estimated 400 business, nonprofit and community leaders were on hand November 20th when The Westchester County Association honored four Westchester leaders at its Annual Leadership Event, “Impact in Action.” The event took place at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle.

On Oct. 1, more than 150 attendees — including state and local officials, tech experts, college presidents and national scholars — gathered at Pace University for the Hudson Valley Digital Innovation Conference to discuss how to turn this vision into reality.

The Welcome Home Westchester Campaign (WHWC) has called on local officials not to wait for action from New York state on housing but to move now on their own to address the county’s housing needs.

Westchester County, NY — [July 24, 2025] — The Westchester County Association (WCA), Westchester County, and The STEM Alliance today hosted the second annual CONVERGE: Hudson Valley Digital Innovation Conference, bringing together business, government, nonprofit, and education leaders to explore how artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and digital inclusion can power the region’s economy and create a more equitable, resilient future.

WHITE PLAINS, NY (May 22, 2025) — As cranes rise and hospital campuses expand across Westchester County, new findings unveiled at the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) Annual Real Estate Summit reveal a critical imbalance—Westchester’s housing supply is not keeping up, and the cost of inaction could reach tens of billions of dollars.

White Plains, NY (January 23, 2025) — The Westchester County Association (WCA) launched its 75th anniversary year with newly appointed County Executive Ken Jenkins’ first address to the Westchester business community, where he outlined his vision for the county’s growth and vitality – subjects that drive WCA’s mission.

(November 21, 2024) …. Four exceptional Westchester leaders, cited for their outstanding contributions to Westchester’s robust economy, benefiting its people and businesses, were honored at the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) Annual Leadership Event, “Impact in Action,” held on November 20th at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle.

White Plains, New York - (November 10, 2023)….Over 450 members of Westchester’s professional community packed the Westchester Marriott ballroom on November 9th for the Westchester County Association’s 73rd annual leadership event.

White Plains (October 12, 2023) More than 300 job seekers lined up to meet with over 40 employers and resource providers at a regional career fair October 12 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

Connect Westchester is Westchester County’s Office of Economic Development’s new initiative to bridge the digital divide through providing essential digital resources, education and affordable internet access to low-income residents.

White Plains, New York - (September 22, 2023)…In his keynote address at WCA’s “Toasting to a Healthy Westchester,” Michael J. Dowling, CEO, Northwell Health appealed to 250 key leaders in healthcare and business attending this annual dinner to try to solve what he called the social determinants of health, such as gun violence, poverty, obesity, and drugs and alchohol abuse. “If we don’t solve theses issues, we will never improve the health status of Americans,”he said, citing the pressures facing the industry today.

White Plains, New York -- (June 5, 2023) Close to 200 business, nonprofit, and government leaders attended the WCA’s 2nd Annual Sustainable Business Conference hosted in partnership with Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law. The event, held June 1 at the law school, focused on new opportunities in sustainable investing and real estate, navigating an evolving regulatory landscape, and the connection between sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion. New this year, a “Sustainability Bootcamp” workshop served as a primer for businesses of all sizes to get started with practical tools to develop a sustainability program.

White Plains, New York - (December 8, 2022) Susan Fox, WCA Board Chair, President & CEO, White Plains Hospital, and Michael N. Romita, President, and CEO of the Westchester County Association (WCA), announced this week that the WCA, the county’s premier business membership organization, will welcome eight new board members representing important industry sectors to bolster the WCA’s economic development and advocacy work.

Join the Westchester County Office of Economic Development on September 10 at the County Center for a dynamic networking and business development event that will empower small businesses and connect them with vital resources and contracting opportunities. ConXpo offers a valuable platform to learn, connect, and thrive.

Cuddy & Feder LLP proudly announces that several attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America™. These honors reflect the firm’s longstanding commitment to excellence across practice areas, reinforcing its reputation as a leading regional law firm.

Westchester County’s Office for People with Disabilities and Office of Economic Development will host the 7th Diverse Abilities Job Fair on October 21 at the County Center. Free to attend, the fair connects employers with hundreds of enthusiastic job seekers of all abilities. Exhibitors should RSVP by October 10. Register here! Questions? Contact Shari Rosen Ascher or call 914-995-2907

Mercy University has named Matt Manfra Vice President for Institutional Advancement, effective August 28, 2025. A higher education advancement leader with 20+ years’ experience in fundraising, alumni engagement, and strategy, Manfra previously served at Georgian Court, George Washington, and Syracuse universities. He will lead Mercy’s fundraising and engagement initiatives.

Northwell has opened a new college-focused behavioral health unit at South Oaks Hospital on Long Island, modeled after the successful “One South” program. Serving undergraduate and graduate students in crisis, the 4,200-square-foot unit offers rapid stabilization, evidence-based treatment, and coordinated follow-up care through Northwell’s Behavioral Health College Partnership with 100+ universities.

Accountants are in demand, and there's a new program preparing the next generation. The online MS in Accounting at SUNY New Paltz welcomes anyone with a bachelor’s degree in business (excluding accounting). The program equips students to qualify for CPA licensure in as little as one year.

Iona University’s on-campus MBA program has once again earned national recognition in The Princeton Review’s “Best Business Schools for 2025.” Known for its personalized attention and career preparation, the LaPenta School of Business continues to grow its reputation as a premier destination for future business leaders. Two new MBA concentrations, HealthCare Management and Human Resource Management, have recently been launched to meet rising demand.

Blythedale Children’s Hospital has appointed Dr. Nathaniel Beers as its next President and CEO, succeeding Larry Levine, who is retiring after 26 years. A respected pediatrician and healthcare executive, Dr. Beers will begin November 17. His leadership background includes roles at Children’s National Hospital and the Washington D.C. Department of Health.

Open Door Family Medical Center is now Open Door Care Network, reflecting its expanded services and regional reach. The rebrand coincides with the organization's 50th anniversary and the opening of a new state-of-the-art facility at 2 Church Street in Ossining, enhancing access to integrated medical and behavioral health care

Newmark welcomes back industry veteran Brian Carcaterra as Executive Managing Director in the Stamford office. With over 20 years of brokerage and ownership experience, he will focus on office tenant and landlord representation in Fairfield and Westchester counties, bringing trusted expertise, strategic insight, and a collaborative approach to today’s evolving office market.