Page 11 - 2020 Westchester Economic Development Guide

Opposite: Downtown Ossining
Top: Henry Gourdine Park and Playground Above: Main Street at night
Right: Ossining Public Library
Ossining is experiencing a strong and steady growth of local
businesses.
—Mayor Victoria Gearity
Ossining Mayor Victoria Gearity shared some of the benefits of living and doing business in this busy village along the Hudson.
WHY IS OSSINING A GOOD PLACE TO DO BUSINESS?
The growing mix of enchanting, hip, and delicious small businesses is drawing patrons from walkable neigh- borhoods, as well as nearby towns and villages. New business owners are Ossining residents or people with a strong connection to the community. Beyond a beautiful waterfront and historic downtown, Ossining busi- nesses benefit from a desire from both residents and fellow entrepreneurs to see local businesses to succeed.
WHY DO BUSINESS IN OSSINING?
Ossining is experiencing a strong and steady growth of local businesses. Municipal leaders are responsive to re- quests for changes that can help local business owners see greater success. Whether that means expanding side- walk café permits to be year-round, changing zoning laws to encourage artisan workspace, or even investing in the Little Big marketing campaign to reduce litter and encourage com- pliance with property maintenance codes, local leaders are engaging with local business owners.
WHAT DEMOGRAPHICS ARE BEING DRAWN TO OSSINING? Families moving out of Brooklyn and Queens are choosing Ossining for the great schools, greater affordabil- ity compared with other Westchester communities, and a cultural and economic diversity similar to the city. Ossining’s character is also enriched by every new generation of immigrants. Today a great number of new residents are from South American countries, particularly Ecuador.
WHAT COMPANIES ARE
MAKING AN IMPACT LOCALLY? Ossining is a hub for small entrepre- neurial businesses. While there are certainly high-profile developers mak- ing their mark on Ossining, notably Ginsburg’s Harbor Square luxury apart- ments and 3 Westerly restaurant on the waterfront, it is most often individuals and small entities that are purchasing properties, and investing in new spaces that welcome entrepreneurs.
ANYTHING NOTEWORTHY ON THE HORIZON FOR 2020 (AND BEYOND)?
Capitalizing on being home to the historic Sing Sing Prison, the Village is supportive of a soon to be Sing Sing museum. The Sing Sing Prison Museum project (SSPM) has garnered support from powerful leaders at every level of government who recognize it as an economic development and tourism opportunity for Ossining and the Hudson Valley.
Learn more about Ossining at www.thebcw.org/data.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 9
© Courtesy of Ossining Public Library
© Village of Ossining
© Village of Ossining