WCA in the News

Earlier this year, in response to concerns over energy affordability and slow progress on infrastructure, New York rolled back its ambitious climate action plans by amending the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019.

Artificial intelligence has made its way into nearly every aspect of our lives, creeping into our daily coffee orders, Google searches and even scheduling doctor’s visits. It drafts emails, summarizes meetings, generates artwork, assists physicians, screens job applicants and powers everything from customer service chatbots to smartphone search engines. As the technology moves at breakneck speed, lawmakers across the country are grappling with increasingly urgent questions: Who is responsible when these systems make mistakes? How much transparency should the public expect? How can governments encourage innovation without sacrificing accountability? These concerns are growing faster than lawmakers can figure out how to regulate them. But why?

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s recent Executive Order No. 62, enacting a first-in-the-nation, one-year moratorium on large scale data centers, is the state’s most recent move to address the advancement of artificial intelligence and determine where infrastructure fits in New York’s plans for this rapidly evolving industry.

Infrastructure can cut both ways for housing developments in Westchester County. Developers say strong transit access and other public infrastructure can help attract residents and spur foot traffic, but some also view municipal requirements to build supporting infrastructure as a burden on new housing projects.

More than two dozen elected officials from cities, towns and villages in Westchester County joined the Welcome Home Westchester campaign (WHW) for a “Housing 101” training on Monday, April 20.

More than two dozen elected officials from cities, towns and villages in Westchester County joined the Welcome Home Westchester campaign (WHW) for a “Housing 101” training on Monday, April 20.

More than two dozen elected officials from cities, towns and villages in Westchester County participated in a Welcome Home Westchester training session on housing held at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in White Plains. Welcome Home Westchester is a group that was formed to explore the housing shortage in Westchester and develop ways to do something about it.

There’s a remarkable transformation happening all around us, thanks to smart developers who see the win-win scenario in turning empty lots, old buildings, and unused industrial sites into versatile mixed-use developments. Properties that were once underutilized or abandoned are getting readied for their close-ups. Welcome to the new neighborhoods.

When New York enacted the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act of 2019, CLCPA or Climate Act for short, it set some of the most ambitious climate goals in the country. The law codified both short and long-term targets for reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to renewable energy.

WHITE PLAINS — Housing affordability remains a top priority for state lawmakers in the Lower Hudson Valley as they weigh Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed budget. The Democratic governor's plan focuses on boosting housing supply through investments in affordable housing developments, supportive housing and manufactured homes, as well as reforms to the state’s environmental review process.

White Plains, N.Y. (November 23, 2021) – The Westchester County Association (WCA), and Nonprofit Westchester (NPW), are hosting a free virtual event, An Open Conversation with US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. EST. This event will include an interactive dialogue, discussing the most pressing issues impacting businesses and the Hudson Valley community.

White Plains, N.Y. (October 21, 2021) – Today, the Westchester County Association in partnership with the City of Yonkers, STEM Alliance, Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE), Fordham University, and Westhab launched the much-anticipated Yonkers Zone (Y-Zone). This project is made possible through support from US Ignite, the National Science Foundation (NSF) (Award # CNS-2044448), and Schmidt Futures. By utilizing Citizens Broadband Radio Service (CBRS) spectrum, the newly deployed, digital opportunity zone provides free internet access to approximately 250 to 400 need-based households in downtown Yonkers.

The Westchester County Association (WCA) is hosting their 2nd Annual Regional Workforce Summit on Friday, April 23, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EST. Join the WCA and leaders from business, education, government, and nonprofits as they gather to discuss the mega shifts occurring in our region’s talent ecosystem. This event will showcase how businesses are leveraging the “new normal” in training, recruiting, and retention developments of the region’s talent.

The Westchester County Association (WCA) is one of seven lead organizations to have been selected by US Ignite, a national non-profit accelerating the smart city movement, to participate in Project OVERCOME. Project OVERCOME, a $2.7 million effort is designed to expedite the delivery of broadband services to underserved communities across the United States. The U. S. National Science Foundation (NSF) conceived of and is providing $2.25 million in funding for the project, with Schmidt Futures joining as a financial and strategic partner to extend Project OVERCOME’s geographic reach with an additional $450,000. The project explores novel approaches to connectivity in both rural and urban communities with an eye on replicating these efforts on a national scale.

The Westchester County Association (WCA), and Nonprofit Westchester (NPW), are hosting a free virtual event, An Open Conversation with U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, on February 26, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. EST. This event will discuss the most pressing issues impacting regional businesses and nonprofits and will include an audience Q&A. Topics that will be addressed in this event include: • COVID relief and the rest of Senator Schumer’s 2021 legislative agenda • Economic development priorities in the lower Hudson Valley • The importance of nonprofits to the regional economy • The challenges of legislating in the current political environment

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.

Congratulations to WCA’s Michael Romita and WCA members Neil Alexander, Shari Rosen Ascher, Kristin Backhaus, John Cooney Jr., Robert Cordero, Jan Fisher, Susan Fox, Michael Gilfeather, Dr. David Lubarsky, Kelly MacMillan, Dr. Philip Ozuah, Amie Parikh, Frank Sánchez, Mark Stagg, Michael Steiper, JD Summa, and Judith Watson, recognized among City & State’s 2026 Hudson Valley Trailblazers.

Burke Rehabilitation has received a transformational $20 million challenge pledge from Bill Ackman and Neri Oxman. The gift will launch Burke’s “Unlock Possible” capital campaign, supporting expanded patient care, advanced rehabilitation technology, clinical programs, research, and facility enhancements.

The Construction Industry Council of Westchester & Hudson Valley launched its new “Build Together” media campaign in White Plains. The initiative highlights the opportunities, rewards, and benefits of careers in the skilled union trades while raising awareness of pathways into the construction industry.

The NRP Group celebrated the grand opening of One Webb Ave, a new 200-unit apartment community in Harrison. The development features studio, one- and two-bedroom residences, five acres of preserved open space, walking trails, a resort-style pool, fitness center, coworking spaces, and more.

Westchester County’s Element 46 Tech Accelerator Powered by QUAY Acceleration has announced the eight local startups selected for its Fall 2026 cohort. Chosen through a competitive process, each venture receives a powerful curriculum, connections to entrepreneurs, investors, and mentors, and pitches at Demo Day in December.

Congratulations to WCA member PKF O’Connor Davies for being named to Crain’s 2026 Best Places to Work in New York City. The annual list recognizes organizations that are creating outstanding workplace cultures and positive employee experiences.

The Entering and Re-entering the Workforce Job Fair on October 21 at SUNY Purchase will provide employers with the opportunity to meet motivated job seekers eager to learn new skills, pursue new opportunities, and bring valuable life experience to the workplace.

New York Power Authority and New York Transco have reached a major milestone with regulatory approval for the Propel NY Energy project. The transmission project is designed to strengthen New York’s electric grid, improving reliability and resiliency while supporting the state’s long-term energy infrastructure needs.

New York Medical College celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated Clinical Skills and Simulation Center on September 14. The 27,000-square-foot facility features expanded simulation suites, advanced technology, and new spaces designed to prepare students and community healthcare providers for real-world patient care.

Montefiore Einstein’s Ari L. Moskowitz, MD, will co-lead the national VICTORY trial, comparing epinephrine and norepinephrine for patients experiencing shock following cardiac arrest. Funded by PCORI, the multisite study will enroll 2,310 patients across 17 U.S. sites to examine survival, recovery, and which treatment may produce better outcomes.