WCA in the News

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).

At the Westchester County Association’s  (WCA) Annual Business Breakfast held Jan. 22 at the New York Athletic Club in Pelham Manor formation of the Westchester Economic Alliance was announced.

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins has outlined his priorities for 2026 after the county passed a challenging budget that eliminated more than 100 positions and raised taxes for the first time in seven years.

The New York State Environmental Quality Review Act — SEQRA — just turned 50. And it’s not aging well. As the state remains mired in a serious housing crisis, SEQRA is a primary culprit.

Welcome Home Westchester (WHW), a multi-stakeholder pro-housing advocacy effort, announced the release of its Housing Policy Scorecards for all 43 cities, towns, and villages in the county at Pelham Village Hall on Friday, December 12.

As the newly elected Westchester County Executive Kenneth B. Jenkins began to speak at the Westchester County Association’s “Impact in Action” annual leadership event – held Wednesday, Nov. 19, at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle – WCA President and CEO Michael R. Romita handed him a note.

The Westchester County Board of Legislators celebrated Italian American Heritage Month on Monday night with a ceremony recognizing two exceptional honorees: Michael N. Romita, President and CEO of Westchester County Association, champion for Westchester’s economic development and environmental sustainability and Paula Miritello, founder and director of My Brother Vinny, a nonprofit organization that provides furnishings for formerly homeless U.S. veterans.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during an appearance at the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) Toasting to a Healthy Westchester event at Tappan Hill in Tarrytown called on health care providers to do more with artificial intelligence.

Want to grow your career or your presence in the industry? These business associations and job and apprenticeship banks are here to help.

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

This spring, the college is launching two new community-focused learning initiatives aimed at meeting the growing demand for intellectually rigorous, flexible education: Extension Courses and the Signature Learning Community for adults 55 and older.

Hudson Valley Care Coalition (HVCC) is partnering with WMCHealth to embed food, housing and transportation screenings into hospital, ER and outpatient care. The initiative is expected to reach an additional 80,000 Medicaid patients this year, addressing social needs that drive up to 80% of health outcomes.

RPI continues to offer opportunities for working professionals interested in advancing their education through project-based, online graduate programs, including courses, certificates, and degree options in engineering, analytics, leadership, and technical change management.

Dr. Kartik Prabhakaran, M.D., M.H.S., FACS has been appointed Chair of the Department of Surgery at Westchester Medical Center and The Felicien M. Steichen, M.D., Chair of Surgery at New York Medical College. A nationally recognized trauma surgeon, he will oversee clinical and academic programs across the health system, advancing surgical excellence and strengthening the pipeline of future surgical leaders in the region.

New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins secured $2.175 million for capital and technology upgrades at Pace University’s Center of Excellence in Healthcare Simulation. The investment will expand hands-on training capacity, helping Pace graduates and place more practice-ready nurses and clinicians across the Hudson Valley.

Summit Health’s Senior Recruiter, Torey Neil, shares insights on Westchester’s competitive job market, emphasizing the growing importance of soft skills, adaptability, and authenticity in healthcare hiring. This 914INC. feature highlights Summit Health’s holistic approach to talent acquisition and commitment to exceptional patient care.

Join ArtsWestchester on March 13 at Brae Burn Country Club for the organization's annual Arts Award Luncheon celebrating the power of the arts in Westchester. More than 300 artists, leaders, patrons, and officials will gather to honor this year’s award recipients.

Margaretville Hospital, part of Westchester Medical Center Health Network, received a $200,000 grant from Mother Cabrini Health Foundation to complete construction of an on-campus helipad. The project, expected to finish this year, will expand emergency access and improve patient outcomes across Delaware County.

In recognition of National Blood Donor Month, donors shared why they give — filling NYBC walls with powerful reminders of compassion and community. Each message reflects lives touched and families helped. Thank you to everyone who shared their “why” and rolled up their sleeve to save lives.

Webster Financial Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Banco Santander, S.A. in a $12.3 billion transaction. The combination will create a top ten retail and commercial bank nationwide and a top five bank by deposits in the Northeast, strengthening scale, capabilities and regional presence.