Page 43 - Westchester Economic Development Guide - 2017 PDF

NEWS YOU CAN USE WCA
WESTCHESTER COUNTY ASSOCIATION:
DRIVING SMART GROWTH AND THE INNOVATION ECONOMY IN WESTCHESTER
The Westchester County Associa- tion is driving economic vitality and development in Westchester and the region through its Smart Growth initiatives. Smart Growth is about the “new urbanism,” where cities are livable, affordable, innovative, and sustainable. The WCA’s Blueprint for Smart Growth is about creating a diverse and vibrant economic ecosystem through innova- tion, housing, technology and talent.
The exciting first step was taken in 2016 with the WCA’s Smart Growth ComPACT, which was signed by the mayors of Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, White Plains, and Yonkers – the first of its kind in the nation. It focuses on mu- tually beneficial innovative economic initiatives and sharing best practices. The first project is to bring gigabit (su- per-speed) broadband to Westchester’s cities and beyond.
GIGABIT CONNECTIVITY
High-speed connectivity is becoming mandatory for economic success and so- cial mobility and equity in the 21st cen- tury. Gigabit broadband will be a boon for business, healthcare, education, bio- technology, public safety and innovation here. It will help close the digital divide, spark our innovation economy, facilitate telemedicine and population health, and create municipal efficiencies.
INNOVATION
Westchester has emerged as a leader in technology and the life sciences. The WCA annually honors women leaders in STEM fields who are making an im- pact. The WCA also organizes an annual health tech conference that attracts na- tional speakers and attention, especially as the health tech, biotech and healthcare sectors pour $15 billion annually into our local economy. The WCA’s Innovation Task Force builds, supports and grows
At a press conference announcing the Smart Cities ComPACT to bring gigabit-speed broadband to Westchester County: (l-r) Joan McDonald, WCA Strategic Advisor; Noam Bramson, Mayor, City of New Rochelle; Mike Spano, Mayor, City of Yonkers; Tom Roach, Mayor, City of White Plains; Richard Thomas, Mayor, City of Mt. Vernon; Christopher Fisher, Chair, Smart Growth for Broadband; Bill Harrington, WCA Chairman. (Ed Cody photo)
community, education and investment initiatives to further innovation in the county, and identifies opportunities to attract startups and early growth-stage businesses. The WCA continues to call attention to the need to build commu- nities to fit today’s Work.Live.Play. and transit-oriented lifestyle; and to attract, retain, and develop workforce talent.
TASK FORCES
WCA’s Housing Task Force is led by members of the business community, land-use attorneys, municipal officials, young professionals and community advocates. It identifies and endorses housing that is transit-oriented and be- ing marketed to both millennials and a growing pool of Baby Boomers seeking to downsize. The Association’s Blue- print for Talent continually assesses the skills needed by area employers, and partners with educational institutions to find innovative ways to update workforce skills to fill the jobs of today and adapt to the workplace of the future. The work
of the Young Professionals Group Board nurtures the next generation of leaders.
ADVOCACY
WCA’s Blueprint for Advocacy Commit- tee continues to advocate for issues and initiatives that support Smart Growth. These include advocating for political, healthcare and housing issues, best practices for fiscal responsibility, and smart development.
WORKFORCE DEVELOP-
MENT
The WCA serves as Project Manager for the federally-funded Jobs Waiting program, administered by Westchester County, which includes an exclusive job readiness boot camp, tuition assistance, career coaching, placement and referrals.
The Westchester County Associa- tion has 650 members from the corpo- rate, business, real estate, healthcare, education and nonprofit sectors.
Learn more at www.westchester.org WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE 41