Westchester County Executive George Latimer presented his seventh budget proposal to the Westchester County Board of Legislators, unveiling a $2.5 billion plan that prioritizes vital services for County residents, while upholding fiscal responsibility. The 2025 Proposed County Operating Budget maintains the same tax levy as 2024 for the County General Fund, marking the sixth consecutive year without an increase. Speaking at press conference yesterday, Latimer said, “The proposed 2025 budget reflects our dedication to responsible financial management while maintaining freezing tax rates for the last six budgets. This budget prioritizes key areas such as public safety, emergency preparedness, housing, health […]

The Business Council of Westchester assembled the region’s top marketing experts on Monday to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming marketing. Smart Insights and AI Innovations to Transform Marketing was the latest installment of the BCW’s AI Alliance 360°, a yearlong series of discussions about the technology’s effect across many sectors. Moderated by Elizabeth Bracken-Thompson, partner of Thompson & Bender, the panel included Andrew Castellano, CEO of Sharc Creative Inc.; Katy Dwyer, founder and creative director of KDD Marketing; Ronnie Ram, president and CEO of Inspiria Outdoor Advertising; Elena Rivera-Cheek, founder and CEO of C&A Digital; and Paul Tyler, head […]

BCW Member Rise Private Wealth Management, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services LLC recently announced its merger with BCW Member Pell Wealth Partners, a fellow Ameriprise team, whose primary office is in Rye Brook. The combined team now operates under the name Rise Private Wealth Management and manages over $4 billion in assets under management for clients across the U.S. The combined team has 41 financial advisors and 47 support staff. They will maintain all 14 of their existing office locations, including: New York, NY, Bedford, NH, Rye Brook, NY, Auburn, ME, Bangor, ME, Clearwater, FL, Durham, […]

The Business Council of Westchester’s Westchester Innovation Network (WIN) Champion Awards celebrated four groundbreaking innovators on Monday during the BCW’s annual Business Showcase held at the Westchester Marriott. WIN, a BCW initiative, empowers entrepreneurs and inventors to partner with BCW members, testing and adapting their products or services within Westchester. This collaborative model not only nurtures the county’s economy but also fosters fresh solutions that address contemporary challenges. During the event, four WIN Champions each received a $2,500 grant to support their pioneering projects: EarthSuds, Immigr8, Laronix, and White Plains High School. “These four innovators embody the creative spirit and […]

The Business Council of Westchester’s Westchester Innovation Network’s (WIN) pairing of a local social services provider with an artificial intelligence-powered platform that streamlines foreign worker visa applications successfully helped the nonprofit hire new employees. The BCW WIN matched Richmond Community Services (RCS) with the software platform Immigr8 to speed up the hiring process through the federal H-1B visa program for specialty occupations. The BCW WIN is an initiative that invites companies from around the world to embed their products with BCW members to drive innovation and economic development in the county. The Mount Kisco-based nonprofit supports children and adults with […]

More than 250 leading business professionals attended the hugely successful Circles of Influence networking event held Monday at the Sonesta hotel in downtown White Plains. There was incredible energy in the room as the BCW welcomed 25 new businesses that evening. The event attracted a diverse range of businesses and business sizes including HR consulting, health and wellness, business and executive advisory services, financial services, construction, attorneys, and aging care services, just to name a few. So far this month, 44 businesses have joined the BCW. And 199 businesses have joined the BCW so far this year. A big thank […]