Page 24 - 2019 Westchester Economic Development Guide

A New Vision
TECHNOLOGY
Technology entrepreneur Bre Pettis wants to make Peekskill a vibrant technology hub.
What Happens Next
For high-tech entrepreneur and inventor Bre Pettis, Peekskill is the ideal backdrop for exploring new frontiers of creativity and manufacturing.
C o-founder and former CEO of 3D printer manufacturer MakerBot Industries, Bre Pettis saw potential – and seized an opportunity – to help make Peekskill a hub for innovation and
business development.
In early 2018, Pettis bought several
properties along the Peekskill water- front at a cost of $1.6 million. The spac- es will be repurposed into co-working, maker and manufacturing spaces for local entrepreneurs. One of the sites will also serve as the east coast hub of his newest venture, Bre & Co., which creates advanced tools and precise CNC machines that help electrical en- gineers prototype circuit boards.
In anticipation of the facilities’ 2019 opening, Pettis talked to us about:
Loving life in Westchester. I’ve lived in Croton for several years. The natural scenery of the Hudson Val- ley is gorgeous. I don’t think that can be overstated.
The cultural allure of Peekskill. Its eclectic nature has been attracting artists for 20 years. People live there because they want to be near nature and be themselves. Here, you can afford to follow your dreams. It’s a place where people embrace you for who you are. The dominant culture is one of diversity: economic, racial, and sexual orientation.
Westchester’s value prop. I couldn’t start MakerBot in Brooklyn today. Brooklyn got bought up. What used to be $7 per square foot is now $50 per sq. ft. Businesses can’t afford to do that kind of stuff anymore. Every- body here has been friendly, there’s been a lot of goodwill.
Tech’s impact on the city. Tech and innovation will be beneficial for the prosperity of the mu- nicipality. It brings a diverse and highly-paid workforce.
Peekskill’s potential as an IT hub.
There’s a need for space, to be able to
make a mess and make things. Those places are becoming more rare. I view Peekskill as the next frontier.
WESTCHESTER’S IT LANDSCAPE
Employing more than 14,000 professionals, Westchester is home to 900+ technology companies, including:
IBM (Armonk), a long-time industry leader, offers a host of cloud-based, cognitive, data & analytics, IT & in- frastructure and security products.
MasterCard Labs (Purchase), creates leading-edge payment technologies for consumers and enterprises.
IAC Applications (Yonkers) produces a host of browser applications, desk top utilities and apps, such as Tinder, OKCupid and Match.com.
“This is a good place for me – not a place where people conform. It’s a place of opportunity – where things can happen that are out of the ordinary.” —Bre Pettis, CEO, Bre & Co.
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WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE