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.”

White Plains, NY (January 23, 2025) — The Westchester County Association (WCA) launched its 75th anniversary year with newly appointed County Executive Ken Jenkins’ first address to the Westchester business community, where he outlined his vision for the county’s growth and vitality – subjects that drive WCA’s mission.

(November 21, 2024) …. Four exceptional Westchester leaders, cited for their outstanding contributions to Westchester’s robust economy, benefiting its people and businesses, were honored at the Westchester County Association’s (WCA) Annual Leadership Event, “Impact in Action,” held on November 20th at Glen Island Harbour Club in New Rochelle.

White Plains, New York - (November 10, 2023)….Over 450 members of Westchester’s professional community packed the Westchester Marriott ballroom on November 9th for the Westchester County Association’s 73rd annual leadership event.

White Plains (October 12, 2023) More than 300 job seekers lined up to meet with over 40 employers and resource providers at a regional career fair October 12 at the Westchester County Center in White Plains.

Connect Westchester is Westchester County’s Office of Economic Development’s new initiative to bridge the digital divide through providing essential digital resources, education and affordable internet access to low-income residents.

White Plains, New York - (September 22, 2023)…In his keynote address at WCA’s “Toasting to a Healthy Westchester,” Michael J. Dowling, CEO, Northwell Health appealed to 250 key leaders in healthcare and business attending this annual dinner to try to solve what he called the social determinants of health, such as gun violence, poverty, obesity, and drugs and alchohol abuse. “If we don’t solve theses issues, we will never improve the health status of Americans,”he said, citing the pressures facing the industry today.

White Plains, New York -- (June 5, 2023) Close to 200 business, nonprofit, and government leaders attended the WCA’s 2nd Annual Sustainable Business Conference hosted in partnership with Pace University’s Elisabeth Haub School of Law. The event, held June 1 at the law school, focused on new opportunities in sustainable investing and real estate, navigating an evolving regulatory landscape, and the connection between sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion. New this year, a “Sustainability Bootcamp” workshop served as a primer for businesses of all sizes to get started with practical tools to develop a sustainability program.

White Plains, New York - (December 8, 2022) Susan Fox, WCA Board Chair, President & CEO, White Plains Hospital, and Michael N. Romita, President, and CEO of the Westchester County Association (WCA), announced this week that the WCA, the county’s premier business membership organization, will welcome eight new board members representing important industry sectors to bolster the WCA’s economic development and advocacy work.

White Plains, New York - (November 21, 2022)…. Westchester’s professional community packed the Westchester Marriott ballroom on November 17th for the Westchester County Association’s annual leadership dinner to honor Westchester’s most influential leaders and celebrate another year of impactful work by the WCA, the region’s premiere business advocacy and economic development organization.

White Plains, N.Y. (February 25, 2022) During the Annual County Executive’s Breakfast hosted by The Westchester County Association (WCA) on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel & Conference Center in Tarrytown, New York, County Executive George Latimer and WCA President & CEO Michael N. Romita jointly announced the launch of the Healthcare Talent Pipeline Program (HTPP).

ENR New York, a key publication covering the regional engineering and construction industry, announced LeChase Construction Service as its 2024 New York Contractor of the Year.

Salem Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center received the 2024 AHCA/NCAL Silver National Quality Award. This recognition signifies their commitment to continuous improvement in quality care. The award evaluates long-term care organizations based on rigorous performance standards.

Westchester County’s Element 46 Tech Accelerator, Powered by Cela, is now accepting applications from innovative tech startups for its next cohort. Chosen startups will experience a 10-week accelerator program that features a key curriculum, connections to investors and mentors, and more. The program will culminate with a Demo Day in November. 

Orange Bank & Trust Company announced that Michael Coulter has retired from the role of Chief Lending Officer. He will continue as an Executive of the Bank, in a part-time position, as Strategic Lending Relationship Officer, managing top client relationships as well as business development.

New York Blood Center recently declared a blood emergency due to dangerously low supply levels. Fox 5 New York featured moving stories of a donor and recipient as part of the network's special series, 'The Gift of Life.'

Westchester Magazine honored CClean's CEO Joseph Pizzimenti as a 2024 Healthcare Hero for his extraordinary efforts during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. He was recognized for his efforts to keep the county’s hospitals, medical facilities, and therapeutic private schools clean and safe, which protected public health and prioritized healthcare workers' safety and comfort.

Phelps Hospital unveiled an $8.8M renovation of its fifth-floor medical/surgical unit, featuring 15 new, state-of-the-art single rooms with private bathrooms and Hudson River views, and dedicated comfort care rooms for end-of-life and palliative care. News 12 covered the upgrade, which speaks to the hospital's initiative to modernize and enhance the patient experience.

All aboard! Helicopter charter company Blade debuts a new, luxury bus service this summer to deliver passengers from Hudson Yards to the Hamptons. Blade partnered with The Jet on the Hamptons Streamliner, featuring 45-degree reclining seats, espresso martinis, PopUp Bagels, and Sweetgreen salads. Read about the posh new route in The New York Times' Style section.

Congratulations to Bridget Gibbons, Westchester County Government’s Director of Economic Development, who has been appointed to the NYS Economic Development Council (NYSEDC)’s Executive Committee. The NYSEDC promotes the economic development of the state and its communities. Gibbons was elected to the organization’s Board of Directors in 2021 and is currently serving her second term.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Amato, HealtheConnections' president- and CEO-elect. The nonprofit's current COO, Amato will succeed Rob Hack, taking the helm on January 1, 2025