WCA in the News

The newly passed federal Inflation Reduction Act, also known as the Climate, Health, and Tax Bill, brings an end to decades of national legislative inaction on climate change.

The Harvard Business School defines sustainability in business as doing business without negatively impacting the environment, community or society as a whole. For the Westchester County Association (WCA), sustainability no longer is something its members can afford to keep off their radar screens and deal with only when unavoidable.

Members of the public expressed both support and criticism for proposed amendments to White Plains’ zoning ordinance during a public hearing at the White Plains Common Council meeting on June 6. Michael Romita, President and CEO of the Westchester County Association, voiced his support for the proposed amendments to the ordinance, citing their forward-looking nature.

With clean energy in the spotlight more and more, job opportunities in this sector look promising in Westchester and beyond.

It may come as no surprise, but county executives in Westchester and the Hudson Valley have upbeat views of where their counties stand financially, in the recovery from Covid, as hosts to businesses and in helping residents enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

When Hurricane Ida smashed into Mamaroneck in September 2021, businesses across the town faced some of the worst flooding in living memory. "We had six feet of water in our two front buildings and four feet of water in our shop building," recalls Michael Murphy of Murphy Brothers Contracting, a 50-year-old, family-owned and Mamaroneck-based general contracting firm. "That storm was a monster."

Leslie Hollingsworth has 16 years of experience teaching third grade in New York City. She enjoyed the position — it’s easier to mold their minds in third grade, she said of teaching young children versus teenagers — but circumstances have led her back to the job market.

Last November, the number of people who voluntarily left their jobs spiked to a record 4.5 million — and that was in just one month according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. What’s that about? Reasons for those walking out are unreasonably low wages, poor working conditions, no career path, and no benefits. The message from workers: we want better jobs with decent pay and jobs that have a future.

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital bought a piece of the Platinum Mile in White Plains and plans to open an outpatient care facility on Westchester Avenue, the hospital announced Tuesday.

Gov. Kathy Hochul removed two controversial pieces of housing-related legislation from her proposed Executive Budget last week, both of which drew harsh criticisms from most municipal officials throughout Westchester and the state.

(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.

White Plains, New York - (November 21, 2022)…. Westchester’s professional community packed the Westchester Marriott ballroom on November 17th for the Westchester County Association’s annual leadership dinner to honor Westchester’s most influential leaders and celebrate another year of impactful work by the WCA, the region’s premiere business advocacy and economic development organization.

White Plains, N.Y. (February 25, 2022) During the Annual County Executive’s Breakfast hosted by The Westchester County Association (WCA) on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel & Conference Center in Tarrytown, New York, County Executive George Latimer and WCA President & CEO Michael N. Romita jointly announced the launch of the Healthcare Talent Pipeline Program (HTPP).

The Westchester County Association (WCA) joined community leaders from Nonprofit Westchester (NPW), the Building and Realty Institute of Westchester and the Mid-Hudson Region (BRI), the Construction Industry Council of Westchester and Hudson Valley (CIC), and the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors (HGAR) to put forth an advocacy letter urging government officials to find statewide solutions to Westchester’s housing crisis.

Westchester business owners, are you prepared for what’s next? Join the Westchester County Office of Economic Development at New York Power Authority in White Plains on January 16 for a panel discussion on preparing to step away while preserving your legacy. Following the panel, attendees can network and meet with resource providers

Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, LLP proudly announces Brittany McLaughlin as the newest member of their Litigation Practice Group. McLaughlin brings experience from a nonprofit legal center in Westchester County and has a strong academic and professional background.

White Plains Hospital and Northwell's Lenox Hill Hospital have been honored with The Leapfrog Group’s 2024 Top General Hospital designation, a prestigious distinction recognizing excellence in patient safety and care. Only six hospitals were recognized in New York State as meeting this exceptional standard.

Following a nationwide search, David Lubarsky, MD, MBA, FASA, has been named the new President and CEO of WMCHealth, effective February 17. Dr. Lubarsky, an accomplished leader from UC Davis Health, brings extensive expertise in innovation, operational excellence, and patient-centered care to lead WMCHealth into its next chapter.

LeChase Construction is renovating 22,000 square feet of Westchester County government offices in White Plains. Upgrades include modernized HVAC systems, revamped conference rooms, and enhanced elevators. The project aims to create a more efficient and comfortable workspace while ensuring operations continue smoothly during construction, scheduled for completion in early 2026.

Westchester County’s Element 46 Tech Accelerator Powered by Quay recently hosted a Demo Day to celebrate the accomplishments of its eighth cohort. Applications are now being accepted for the Spring 2025 program.

Westchester business owners, are you prepared for what’s next? Join the Westchester County Office of Economic Development at New York Power Authority in White Plains on January 16 for a panel discussion on preparing to step away while preserving your legacy. Following the panel, attendees can network and meet with resource providers.

The WCA proudly celebrates WCA Board Member Aleida 'Ale' M. Frederico on being named Chairperson of the United Way of Westchester and Putnam’s Board of Directors. With over three decades of banking and community development expertise, Ale brings exceptional leadership to her new role.

Westchester Medical Center (WMC) has partnered with Inspira Technologies, a med-tech innovator in respiratory care, to evaluate the FDA-cleared INSPIRA ART100 systems in real-world clinical scenarios. The technology will be shared with leading physicians and medical institutions. Med-Stat Consulting Services, Inc. will provide servicing while Glo-Med will handle distribution.

Westchester Medical Center (WMC) has partnered with Inspira Technologies, a med-tech innovator in respiratory care, to evaluate the FDA-cleared INSPIRA ART100 systems in real-world clinical scenarios. The technology will be shared with leading physicians and medical institutions. Med-Stat Consulting Services, Inc. will provide servicing while Glo-Med will handle distribution.