WCA in the News

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.

The Westchester County Association has launched a Healthcare Talent Pipeline Program to ease labor challenges in the region.

In her executive budget, Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed streamlined, as-of-right zoning legislation for both accessory dwelling units and transit-oriented development. There is a resurgent conversation surrounding statewide fixes to this serious problem and New York needs to act.

Five Westchester and Hudson Valley organizations have joined in a push for the New York State Legislature to pass legislation that could help create more housing in numerous communities.

In Yonkers, N.Y., a digital opportunity zone — aptly named the Y-Zone — has been helping to level the playing field for those without consistent access to the Internet or the devices and know-how needed to make use of it.

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.

Yonkers, N.Y. – Today, the Westchester County Association joined community leaders, elected officials, and project partners in a press conference at the Yonkers Public Library to highlight the latest developments since the launch of the Y-Zone (Yonkers Zone), a broadband pilot program funded by US Ignite and Schmidt Futures as part of Project Overcome.

St. Thomas Aquinas College is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Montefiore Nyack Hospital designed to make affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees accessible for the hospital’s employees.

ENR New York, a key publication covering the regional engineering and construction industry, announced LeChase Construction Service as its 2024 New York Contractor of the Year.

Salem Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center received the 2024 AHCA/NCAL Silver National Quality Award. This recognition signifies their commitment to continuous improvement in quality care. The award evaluates long-term care organizations based on rigorous performance standards.

Westchester County’s Element 46 Tech Accelerator, Powered by Cela, is now accepting applications from innovative tech startups for its next cohort. Chosen startups will experience a 10-week accelerator program that features a key curriculum, connections to investors and mentors, and more. The program will culminate with a Demo Day in November. 

Orange Bank & Trust Company announced that Michael Coulter has retired from the role of Chief Lending Officer. He will continue as an Executive of the Bank, in a part-time position, as Strategic Lending Relationship Officer, managing top client relationships as well as business development.

New York Blood Center recently declared a blood emergency due to dangerously low supply levels. Fox 5 New York featured moving stories of a donor and recipient as part of the network's special series, 'The Gift of Life.'

Westchester Magazine honored CClean's CEO Joseph Pizzimenti as a 2024 Healthcare Hero for his extraordinary efforts during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. He was recognized for his efforts to keep the county’s hospitals, medical facilities, and therapeutic private schools clean and safe, which protected public health and prioritized healthcare workers' safety and comfort.

Phelps Hospital unveiled an $8.8M renovation of its fifth-floor medical/surgical unit, featuring 15 new, state-of-the-art single rooms with private bathrooms and Hudson River views, and dedicated comfort care rooms for end-of-life and palliative care. News 12 covered the upgrade, which speaks to the hospital's initiative to modernize and enhance the patient experience.

All aboard! Helicopter charter company Blade debuts a new, luxury bus service this summer to deliver passengers from Hudson Yards to the Hamptons. Blade partnered with The Jet on the Hamptons Streamliner, featuring 45-degree reclining seats, espresso martinis, PopUp Bagels, and Sweetgreen salads. Read about the posh new route in The New York Times' Style section.

Congratulations to Bridget Gibbons, Westchester County Government’s Director of Economic Development, who has been appointed to the NYS Economic Development Council (NYSEDC)’s Executive Committee. The NYSEDC promotes the economic development of the state and its communities. Gibbons was elected to the organization’s Board of Directors in 2021 and is currently serving her second term.