Westchester Leaders Outline Vision at Economic Update

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and Westchester County Director of Operations Emily Saltzman laid out an optimistic and clear-eyed economic outlook for the county on Wednesday at the Business Council of Westchester’s KeyBank Speaker Series.

Moderated by BCW President and CEO Marsha Gordon, her questions ranged from keeping the county competitive, adaptability and employment growth sectors to transportation, housing affordability and attracting new talent. Speaking to a room full of business, nonprofit, education, and civic leaders, Jenkins framed Westchester as a state leader thanks to its partnership with the BCW on economic development, energy, housing and other issues.

“We say Westchester is Bestchester, whether it’s from an economic development perspective, whether it’s from housing,” Jenkins said, noting that Westchester is the New York county with the biggest population increase. “We grew by the most, and that doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of the partnerships that we have with the BCW and all of you working together.”

The BCW’s partnerships with the county include initiatives for recruiting and retaining businesses; developing a reliable, affordable, and sustainable power system; economic development; transportation; and expanding childcare access.

Housing affordability emerged as one of the event’s prominent conversation points. Jenkins described a suite of pilot programs, local preference initiatives, and ownership opportunities developed in concert with municipalities, state partners, and developers. Saltzman detailed county programs supporting older but essential housing stock, and a landlord tenant assistance program to help small landlords make safety and infrastructure upgrades without displacing tenants.

“We are very mindful of the range of housing stock in this county… we are trying very hard through our LTAP program to support those landlords, to keep those rental units… when we lose those apartments, we don’t get them back at those levels,” said Saltzman.

On transportation, the county’s strategy centers on multimodal mobility. That means strengthening Beeline bus service, expanding paratransit, installing more electric vehicle charging stations, piloting micro-transit hubs, and modernizing the county airport.

Jenkins and Saltzman framed young talent as essential to the county’s long-term economic health. Jenkins described a strategy that links higher education institutions, affordable housing, and vibrant downtowns. Saltzman added that the county is deeply invested in youth development and support systems, from mental health services and after-school programs to mentoring and leadership opportunities.

Both leaders were candid about fiscal headwinds, including reduced federal support and the end of pandemic-era funding. Jenkins said his toughest decision so far was presenting his first budget with a tax increase, rather than papering over structural needs.

Despite the fiscal challenges, Saltzman said county government delivers core services at an elevated level, from immaculate parks to waste management and transit.

Gordon closed the event by positioning the BCW’s members as partners in the county’s efforts, from working closely with economic development leaders on creating new opportunities for business growth to advocating for funding and policy.

“Everyone in this room feels like we are part of your team, and we’re working together,” said Gordon. “We thank you so much for your leadership, for being a partner with us, for always picking up the phone and being on the other end of that text.”