Page 8 - 2021 Westchester County Economic Development Guide

Welcome
Dear Business Leader:
Westchester County has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic to help our business community continue to thrive, despite waging a war against this virus. We began with constant communication, relaying critical federal and state information to the business community in a timely way and letting owners and entrepreneurs know they aren’t alone.
They chose Westchester County and we want businesses to grow here. We are committed to that. Our convenient location just outside New York City is home to one million people. Our scenic beauty and wealth of talented business professionals provides the economic climate for success.
When the pandemic hit, our economy was no doubt shaken. But we are still standing and we are resilient. We set up an assistance program to help businesses apply for Federal Small Business Administration Loans and Grants. We used technology to set up a series of crisis advisory webinars to help businesses pivot and adapt, given the crisis. We implemented two new programs to support entrepreneurship, Launch1000 and Westchester RISES. To help businesses navigate these unchartered waters, we launched a $500,000 grant and loan program using the County’s Industrial Development Agency funds and a $15 million grant program using CARES act funds. We worked closely with consultants and developed a plan now being used as a roadmap to help our economy grow.
As we continue to move forward, we are proud to build on the momentum of Westchester’s booming biosciences sector. We launched the first cohort of the Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator program and our second cohort of Element 46. I am also proud of our implementation of ongoing equity, diversity and inclusion programs in our communities. Our office executed conXpo events to bring minority/women-owned businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses together with County Departments who have contracting opportunities.
This Guide includes insight, profiles and testimonials from Westchester’s top executives and small businesses. It also contains what you need to know to keep up with real estate, transportation and demographic trends in the County. Let it serve as a valuable resource for you and your business, as you continue to look at all the opportunities Westchester County has to offer.
Sincerely,
George Latimer
Westchester County Executive
Westchester Forward
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WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE