WCA in the News

The U.S. House of Representatives has advanced a plan to slash about $700 billion from Medicaid over the next ten years. Not only would major cuts to Medicaid harm the health of New Yorkers, but they would also ravage healthcare providers and undermine the state’s economy.

The health care industry is entrenched as a backbone of Westchester's economy. With the rapid expansion of hospitals and health care facilities, thousands of new jobs are expected to be created in the coming years. Health care jobs are generally competitive and well-paying. Yet, many remain unfilled.

In September of 2021, when Hurricane Ida pummeled Westchester County—and Mamaroneck in particular—Michael Murphy doubled down on a plan. The director of business development at Murphy Brothers Contracting saw firsthand (but not for the first time) how Ida’s flooding devastated businesses. Year after year, as storms became more powerful, merchants in the area saw their properties submerged and inventories destroyed with no relief in sight

Medicaid provides healthcare to families with modest incomes, young adults who have aged off their parents’ insurance, people with disabilities and frail elderly individuals in long-term care. It covers your neighbors, your kids, your parents and grandparents. And it is now on the chopping block. The program is administered by the states and jointly funded with the federal government. It is not cheap, costing more than $600 billion a year. That is why it is in Congress’ crosshairs.

VALHALLA – With thousands of job openings in the Hudson Valley, educators and employers are collaborating to train a new generation of phone-centric workers who may lack social skills like making eye contact. The number of private sector jobs in the Hudson Valley grew by 1.9% to 819,000 in January, with the largest gains occurring in education and health services, as well as leisure and hospitality. But many employers are having trouble filling jobs. In fact, across New York state, about 500,000 open positions still need to be filled.

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.

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.

White Plains Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification, the highest level of stroke care accreditation. This milestone reflects rapid growth in its Neurosciences program and leadership from Dr. Rafael A. Ortiz and Dr. Paul Lleva in delivering advanced, 24/7 stroke care.

Congratulations to Skanska on receiving the Project Safety Award at SAFEBUILD 2026 for the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal Port Upgrade. The recognition highlights Skanska’s commitment to safety through planning, risk management, and a strong job site culture.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has appointed Shakeeb Akhter as Chief Digital Officer. Formerly Senior Vice President and Chief Digital and Information Officer at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Akhter will lead MSK’s digital strategy, advancing innovation across clinical care, research, AI, analytics, cybersecurity, and enterprise technology.

This week, New York Blood Center declared a blood emergency as regional blood supplies have dropped to less than a two-day supply ahead of summer trauma season. Give blood: A single donation can save up to three lives. Host a blood drive: If you have space and 30+ willing donors, NYBC will arrange the rest.

Innovative projects aimed at improving patient access, function, safety, and satisfaction took center stage at Burke Rehabilitation's Annual Performance Improvement (PI) Showcase. Developed by multidisciplinary teams across the organization, this year’s showcase featured 20 projects reflecting the ongoing focus at Burke to advance rehabilitation medicine excellence and exemplify the forward-thinking work taking place every day.

Join RPI, Westchester County, IBM, NVIDIA, Regeneron and others on June 2 to explore how organizations are operationalizing AI today while preparing for the future of quantum and supercomputing. The Summit helps lay the foundation for deeper regional collaboration ahead of CONVERGE '26's focus on quantum infrastructure and workforce development.

The countywide Juneteenth Coalition will launch its month-long freedom celebrations on May 28 at ArtsWestchester. The multi-day event will assemble culture, commerce, and community to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. This year’s celebration centers around the theme, "Built by Us: The Black Blueprint of American Business."

Nonprofit Westchester's Inside the Nonprofit Sector series brings together leaders from nonprofit, healthcare, business, government, and higher education to address the critical issues shaping Westchester's community well-being. The June 4 "Advancing Community Health: Aligning Cross-Sector Action," session features keynote speaker Lyndon J. Mitnaul, Ph.D. of Regeneron Genetics Center.

Zayo, a leading digital infrastructure provider, acquired Crown Castle's fiber solutions business, which will add 90,000 metro-dense route miles to Zayo's expansive network, advancing Zayo's leadership across AI and enterprise connectivity.

The WCA congratulates Vanitha (Van) Pushparaj, MPA, on her new role as Vice President of the Faculty Practice Group at Montefiore Einstein. With 30+ years of experience, she has advanced operational excellence and growth across its ambulatory network, supporting 2,500+ providers and 200+ sites while expanding access to care.