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.

Pelham, NY — January 22, 2026 — The Westchester County Association (WCA) today announced the formation of the Westchester Economic Alliance, a new, joint countywide economic development initiative launched in partnership with Westchester County Government.

(November 20, 2025 – New Rochelle, NY) — More than 450 business, nonprofit, and government leaders gathered at Glen Island Harbour Club on November 19 for the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) “Impact in Action” Annual Leadership Event—the capstone celebration of the organization’s 75th anniversary.

(October 13, 2025) … Westchester County leaders, healthcare executives, and policymakers gathered at the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) annual Toasting to a Healthy Westchester: An Evening to Celebrate WCA’s Legacy of Healthcare Advocacy & Initiatives.

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.

Congratulations to Kaitlyn Phillips on her new role as Vice President at E.J. York, Inc. From starting as an intern to advancing through multiple roles, her leadership reflects dedication, growth, and deep industry knowledge. We look forward to her continued impact and contributions to the company’s future success.

Burke Rehabilitation recently hosted its annual Burke Brain Bee competition, welcoming students from seven Hudson Valley high schools with a passion for neuroscience. The competition featured several rounds of challenging questions designed to evaluate students’ knowledge of the brain and nervous system.

United Hebrew appoints two distinguished board members, Kavita Dhanwada, the founding dean of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences at Iona University, and Jeff Klein, the President of Allied Government Affairs and former State Senator & President of NYS Senate. We look forward to their contributions.

Pace University's unveiling of the new Gale Epstein Center for Technology, Policy, and the Environment marks a significant expansion of the University's leadership in environmental technology and innovation. Made possible by a gift from NYC philanthropist and business leader Gale Epstein, the Center builds on the success of Seidenberg’s Blue CoLab and Pace's work in water monitoring and environmental information systems.

Northwell Health's Glen Cove Hospital has become the first hospital in New York State to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. The honor recognizes the hospital’s relentless commitment to quality, safety, innovation, and empowered leadership delivering exceptional care to the community.

Burke has announced the appointment of three distinguished leaders, Lisa Feiner, Jason Perla, and Michael J. Smith, to its Hospital Board of Trustees. Each brings leadership and a wealth of experience across healthcare, real estate, finance, and public service, further strengthening the strategic direction of Burke as it advances its mission in rehabilitation care, research, and graduate medical education.

The Westchester County Association congratulates Judith Watson, CEO of Westchester Community Health Center, on her election as Chair of the Board of the Community Health Care Association of NYS. Her leadership advances equitable, accessible healthcare for underserved communities across New York.

Nonprofit Westchester, in partnership with Westchester County, is offering two free Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings this spring: April 15 and May 28 | 10:00 AM–2:30 PM Lunch provided. Organizations may register up to two participants per session.

The next Westchester County Life Sciences Monthly Networking event will be on March 25 at Burke Neurological Institute, with presentations from Matus Knoblich, CEO, Med-Stat, and Ron Cohen, former CEO, Acorda Therapeutics. All are welcome: founders and employees, innovators, investors, and those curious about Westchester’s life sciences ecosystem.

This spring, the college is launching two new community-focused learning initiatives aimed at meeting the growing demand for intellectually rigorous, flexible education: Extension Courses and the Signature Learning Community for adults 55 and older.