WCA in the News

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.

Some Hudson Valley officials and business community leaders are reacting positively to an initiative announced by Gov. Kathy Hochul to make reforms to the environmental review process under the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA).

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.

William P. Harrington, Jr., Chairman of the Westchester County Association (WCA), announced today that Michael N. Romita will become the next President & CEO of the WCA, the County’s leading economic development and business advocacy organization, effective March 1, 2020.

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

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.

On October 17, the WCA team will participate in Blood Cancer United Light The Night, supporting lifesaving research and critical resources for blood cancer patients and their families. Together with supporters from across Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley, we’ll walk to bring light to the darkness of cancer.

It’s the fastest growing sector in Westchester and Fairfield counties. But that doesn’t mean health care is free of challenges. The United States is seeing a shortage of nurses and primary-care physicians that is particularly acute in rural areas, said Brian A. Goldstein, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health Professions at Pace University in Pleasantville, which recently hosted, along with the Westchester County Association (WCA), the second “World of Health Care” forum on job opportunities in that industry.

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 who are enthusiastic about learning a new skill, reinventing themselves, and bringing their valuable life experience to your workplace.

Northwell’s Phelps Hospital has been designated a Center of Excellence in Robotic Surgery by Surgical Review Corporation. The recognition reflects Phelps’ commitment to patient safety, quality and advanced robotic-assisted surgical care, including its use of state-of-the-art technology to improve precision and patient outcomes.

Congratulations to Andrew Weinberg, FSMPS, CPSM, Director of Business Development at LF Driscoll, on receiving the Vanguard of the Year Award at the 2026 SMPS New York Annual Liberty Awards Reception. The award recognizes senior-level professionals who champion strategic vision, collaboration, marketing and business development.