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.

The Westchester County Association (WCA), in partnership with Westchester County’s Office of Economic Development, is hosting a free virtual webinar, All Access Healthcare: Spotlight on Westchester’s Bioscience Ecosystem, on February 11, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EST. This event will showcase the growing bioscience ecosystem in the county and highlight why more life science companies are moving to Westchester County. Opening remarks will be made by Westchester County Executive George Latimer.

The Westchester County Association (WCA), Westchester’s leading economic development and business advocacy organization, today announced the appointment of five new members to its board of directors.

Regional experts in real estate and housing will share best practices and offer potential solutions to the lack of affordable and diverse housing stock in the region – where more than 11,000 additional such units are needed -- at the Westchester County Association’s fourth annual Real Estate and Housing Virtual Summit on October 30 at 9:30 a.m. EST.

Dr. Philip Ozuah, president and chief executive officer of Montefiore Medicine, will deliver the keynote address at the Westchester County Association (WCA)’s online 70th Anniversary Leadership Event, which will celebrate business and nonprofit movers and shakers, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, and local healthcare heroes, on November 19 at 4 p.m. EST.

The initiatives are outlined in “Towards a Stronger Future,” a newly-released report from the WCA’s Post Pandemic Working Group (PPWG), which is a select committee of business, nonprofit, and education and government leaders who are working collaboratively to support the recovery and long-term prosperity of the region.  The Towards a Stronger Future report, which is available for download on the WCA’s website, sets forth a clear advocacy and action agenda in those Four Foundational Pillars of Economic Recovery where the WCA is well-positioned through its proven expertise and deep professional network to achieve significant impact: healthcare and bioscience, real estate and housing, digital connectivity, and energy and sustainability.

Optimism for Westchester’s economic future, combined with a sense that the region’s financial recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will take between one and three years, are among the key findings from a public survey conducted by the Westchester County Association (WCA), the results of which were announced today. The survey also found that healthcare, entrepreneurship, higher education and hospitality are among the most important industry sectors to the region’s economic future, while high taxes, unemployment, broadband/digital technology, and affordable housing are key economic issues moving forward.

The “Business Insights” live video series will feature hosts from the WCA and Westfair Communications interviewing business leaders from throughout the region and discussing topics related to the challenges and opportunities organizations are encountering. Episodes will stream live on the WCA’s Facebook Page, LinkedIn Page, and YouTube Channel, and also on Westfair Communications’ website, Facebook Page, LinkedIn Page, and YouTube Channel, and be available for on-demand viewing.

The “Best Practices for Reopening Westchester” online event series will support the ongoing efforts of the WCA’s Post-Pandemic Working Group (PPWG) to rebuild a stronger and more resilient economy for the region.

The Post-Pandemic Working Group is pursuing a comprehensive and cooperative approach to the region’s economic development challenges that were both created and made more apparent by the coronavirus crisis. It will cultivate and advance a series of legislative, regulatory, and developmental priorities focused not just on getting our economy restarted but also making sure it grows stronger and more resilient for the long term.

We await the findings of the Medicaid Redesign Team and we are dedicated to working with our State representatives to ensure that the team’s recommendations do not unduly burden Westchester’s health systems or place patients and others in need at unnecessary risk.

On May 5th, White Plains Hospital broke ground on its new $2 billion expansion that will create 1,000 new jobs and includes a 475,000 square foot tower with a 25,000-square-foot emergency room, 10 new operating rooms, 240 new private patient rooms and a 2,000-spot parking structure. “We are laying the foundation to ensure our future hospital provides the highest quality of care for generations to come,” said Susan Fox, WPH President & CEO and WCA Board Chair.

Northwell Health and Nuvance Health have officially merged, forming a regional health system serving 13+ million people across New York and Connecticut. With 104,000 employees, 28 hospitals, and 1,050+ care locations, this $22.6B partnership strengthens access, innovation, and talent to transform care for the region’s diverse communities.

Northwell Northern Westchester Hospital has received a record-breaking $10 million donation from Lisa and Mark Schwartz to enhance trauma, neurological, and stroke care for the community. This gift will expand NWH’s services and infrastructure, ensuring timely, lifesaving treatment.

Tyré Robinson, M&T's Tarrytown Regional President, accepted the Corporate Partner of the Year Award on behalf of M&T Bank at Community Housing Innovations’ Journey Gala. Both organizations are proud WCA members and champions of housing opportunities across the region.

Congratulations to Dr. Srihari Naidu on being named President of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions. His leadership reflects decades of excellence in cardiology and reinforces WMCHealth’s standing as a national leader in heart and vascular care, with a program recognized for over 60 years of outstanding clinical achievement.

Burke Rehabilitation Hospital remains the only freestanding rehab facility in New York State offering on-site hemodialysis. In its first year, the program served 85 admissions with zero treatment delays or infections, enabling patients to receive uninterrupted care. This innovative service improves outcomes and access for patients with complex needs.

White Plains Hospital, Northern Westchester Hospital, Phelps Hospital, and New York-Presbyterian Westchester - have earned “A” grades from The Leapfrog Group in its latest Hospital Safety Grade report. These distinctions underscore their shared commitment to delivering top-tier, transparent, and safe care across Westchester County.

Westchester County and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Leadership (RPI) are pleased to have secured a new strategic partnership to benefit you. Come learn all about RPI's Rensselaer at Work professional programs on Wednesday, June 18 at 6 PM at Captain Lawrence Brewing Co. in Elmsford.

Westchester Medical Center Health network welcomes new leadership at MidHudson, HealthAlliance, and Margaretville Hospitals, including Dr. Shankar Kurra, Jerome Dayao, Dr. Michael Doyle, and George Weldon, Jr. Each brings deep expertise to elevate care, operations, and patient outcomes across the region. Please join us in celebrating their appointments!

Orange Bank & Trust Company has promoted David Dineen to Executive Vice President, Senior Managing Director of Wealth Management. In this role, he is responsible for leading the asset management, trust, and private banking offerings under the umbrella of Orange Wealth Management.