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.”

Westchester County Association holds 67th Annual Fall Leadership Dinner at Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown on November 16.

Health Tech ’17 will address the opioid crisis, cancer breakthroughs, telehealth and remote patient monitoring, and national healthcare policy as it relates to New York.

The 2017 Real Estate Summit focuses on innovative planning for housing and commercial development, and the streamlining of cumbersome regulation so that projects can move at a pace that’s beneficial for municipalities and developers alike.

The Westchester County Association (WCA) announced its Community Partnership with the Westchester Biotech Project.

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.

The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University has been ranked the #1 Environmental Law Program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report—for the fifth consecutive year. With global impact, innovative programs, and expert faculty, Haub Law leads the field.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers showcases Brightcore Energy's groundbreaking geothermal project at The Beresford, a historic NYC building. This initiative highlights the potential of advanced energy systems to transform legacy properties, proving decarbonization is possible for even the most complex structures.

Please join us for the annual Pitch Day on May 7. This event will celebrate the cohort of life sciences founders who participated in this year’s Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator program. Investors, corporate sponsors, and members of the life sciences ecosystem should attend.

The Westchester County Office of Economic Development will host its next Life Sciences Networking event on April 9, featuring a discussion on the characteristics of a strong board of directors. All are welcome: founders and employees of life sciences companies, educators, students, and anyone curious about the life sciences ecosystem right here in Westchester.

Sustainable Westchester and CURE100 have partnered together to offer the Carbon Tracker to municipalities and residents throughout county. This free app runs on any web-enabled device and can help you make informed, personalized choices to save money, improve your health, and reduce your household’s carbon emissions.

Orange Bank & Trust Company has promoted two officers to support the ongoing expansion of Orange Wealth Management. Carla Alfieri has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Director of Private Banking and Jacqueline Weimmer will serve as Director of Trust Services.