NYPA & Canal Corporation Showcase Expanding Opportunities Across New York’s Evolving Economy

This week, the New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Canal Authority hosted the “Supplier Diversity Expo” in Westchester County. The event focused on the future of infrastructure, procurement, and economic opportunity across New York State. The standing-room-only event drew more than 1,100 attendees, including approximately 70 vendors, with nearly half of participants traveling from outside Westchester County, a strong reflection of the rapidly growing interest surrounding New York’s expanding clean energy economy and infrastructure marketplace.

The Business Council of Westchester (BCW) President and CEO Marsha Gordon, gave welcoming remarks on behalf of the Westchester business community and highlighted the significant commercial opportunities emerging across the clean energy sectors and the importance of helping businesses strategically position themselves for long-term growth.

“This is what a market shift looks like when businesses are paying attention,” Gordon said during her remarks, emphasizing that companies across industries are actively searching for new revenue streams, long-term stability, and growth opportunities connected to clean energy and infrastructure investment…Clean energy is not a specialty sector anymore; it’s showing up in construction, IT, facilities, and professional services, if you’re in business, you’re already in the clean energy economy. The BCW’s Clean Energy Action Coalition (CEAC) has 130 members all from different related businesses who want to be engaged in bringing clean energy to Westchester County. The companies winning in clean energy are not necessarily the largest, they are the most adaptable and the most resilient. You don’t have to transform your entire business, just align the right part of it strategically.”

The event also highlighted the scale of opportunity already developing across New York State. According to NYPA, in 2025 the organization spent a record:
• $126 million with MWBEs
• $15 million with SDVOBs
• $238 million with New York State small businesses

During her remarks, Gordon candidly addressed the realities businesses face as the clean energy sector becomes increasingly competitive and sophisticated. She noted that companies entering the market must be prepared for evolving compliance expectations, more complex procurement cycles, and higher operational standards.

However, she emphasized that businesses willing to learn the industry early will gain an important competitive advantage.

“Those who understand the rules early gain a first-mover advantage in a rapidly scaling industry,” Gordon said. “That’s why we’re all here today.”

She encouraged attendees to focus on practical growth strategies, including:
• Repositioning services to align with infrastructure and energy needs
• Training teams on emerging technical and compliance requirements
• Building partnerships with prime contractors and utilities
• Viewing public agencies and utilities as long-term relationship-based customers rather than one-time transactions

The event brought together industry leaders, suppliers, contractors, and business professionals for important conversations surrounding supplier diversity, public-private partnerships, procurement pathways, and the increasing role businesses of all sizes can play in supporting the State’s clean energy transition.

A major theme throughout the discussion was the important role organizations like The Business Council of Westchester play in helping businesses navigate evolving industries by serving as connectors to opportunity, translators of complex markets, and advocates for practical access to economic growth.

Closing her remarks, Gordon reinforced that the clean energy economy is no longer a future concept; it is actively shaping contracting pipelines, infrastructure investments, and procurement opportunities across New York State.