WCA in the News

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.

Westchester County crossed a milestone when the last census in 2020 revealed there are now more than one million people living here. So, with more folks competing for a housing stock that hasn’t kept pace, the result is predictable. “It’s Economics 101,” Tim Foley of the Building & Realty Institute told a gathering of more than 75 at the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber breakfast on Jan. 9 “If the supply is inadequate, the prices go sky high. In addition, with the migration up from New York City during Covid, the housing inventory shrunk and the prices went bananas.”

The Westchester County Association (WCA) – Westchester’s leading economic development and business advocacy organization – today announced the appointment of twelve new members to its board of directors, a new vice chair of its board of directors, and three board members to its executive committee.

Nationally-renowned experts and local stakeholders will convene to discuss innovative solutions to the region’s employer recruitment and retention challenges at the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) first-ever Regional Workforce Development Summit, to be held at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, NY, on Thursday, January 16th at 8 a.m.

William P. Harrington, Chairman of the Westchester County Association (WCA), announced today that John E. Ritacco, a financial services executive who was the former President and CEO of CMS Bancorp Inc., a publicly traded financial institution, will be appointed as Interim President/CEO of the WCA, effective January 1, 2020, as the search for a new leader progresses. Ritacco will remain in the position until a successor to William M.  Mooney, Jr., the current President and CEO, is found.

County’s leading business advocacy association embarks on a vigorous process to find its new leader as economic activity burgeons in the region.

Westchester County Association hosts annual wine pairing dinner to support healthcare advocacy initiatives

White Plains, N.Y. (July 22, 2019) – Jason Chapin has joined the Westchester County Association (WCA) as Director of Workforce Development. Before joining WCA, Mr. Chapin coordinated and managed federal, state and foundation grants for The City University of New York, The State University of New York and The WorkPlace, a nationally recognized not-for-profit based in Connecticut. In addition, he has managed state-wide education, training and employment programs in New York and Connecticut that have served more than 25,000 adults and their families.

Westchester County Association (WCA) brought together nearly 300 regional leaders in commercial and residential real estate, as well as government and planning officials and community organizations, for its 3rd Annual Real Estate Summit

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (January 10, 2019) – Westchester County Executive George Latimer this morning at the Westchester County Association Breakfast signed signed a 99-year lease agreement for the North 60 project. The agreement for the county-owned land is the key to the development of a $1.2 billion biotech project on the Grasslands Reservation in Valhalla.

The Westchester County Association (WCA), Westchester’s most powerful economic development organization, has embarked on a search for a new leader to succeed longtime president and CEO William Mooney Jr., a giant in the region’s business and banking communities whose storied career has spanned more than 50 years.

To better reflect its policy- and action-oriented identity, the Westchester County Association (WCA) today unveiled its first major brand realignment since it was founded in 1950.

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.

In 2024, film and TV production generated $924.2 million in economic impact for Westchester County. The numbers were announced at Westchester County Tourism & Film's “Future of Film in Westchester” event, where top producers and industry leaders gathered to discuss how to stay competitive in a changing landscape. With diverse locations and unmatched production support, Westchester continues to lead the way as a top destination for film.

Congratulations to Ryan McEnany, Director of Energy and Resiliency at Pace University, for being recognized as a 2025 Trailblazer in Clean Energy by City & State New York. Ryan's leadership drives initiatives like the One Pace Plaza East renovation, firmly positioning Pace on its path to becoming a net-zero institution by 2040.

Salem Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare has been honored with the prestigious Silver Award at the 2025 AHCA/NCAL Quality Summit. Director of Nursing Tess Anderson accepted the award, recognizing the team’s exceptional care and commitment to improvement. This national honor reflects leadership, strategic planning, and a strong focus on resident outcomes.

Westchester County is partnering with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) to provide area working professionals with access to top-tier STEM education on demand. This partnership fulfills a strategic initiative to bring high-quality engineering and applied science programs to the County.

Nationally renowned rehabilitation provider, Burke Rehabilitation will be expanding to Scarsdale. This will make it Burke's 14th facility, and it features a 6,100-square-foot state-of-the-art space, supporting approximately 18,000 patient visits annually. Learn how this new rehabilitation facility will not only set a new example for care, but aid thousands of lives.

Join Fordham University on April 30 for S.P.A.R.K.—Scholars Promoting Action, Research, and Knowledge. This public event features five faculty presenting innovative research in ethical leadership, inclusion, and social responsibility. Connect with scholars, students, and industry leaders at McShane Campus Center from 4:00–5:30 PM.

Mercy University hosted the MedTech & Finance Conference in collaboration with Westchester County Youth Bureau and Sister to Sister International. Over 200 students explored careers at the intersection of medicine, technology, and finance through keynotes, hands-on workshops, and inspiring industry insights.

Montefiore Nyack Hospital’s Radiation Oncology team marked a major milestone by treating the first patient with its new Radixact Tomotherapy machine. This state-of-the-art technology delivers highly targeted radiation while reducing treatment sessions by up to 80%, enhancing both precision and patient comfort.