More than 50 business organizations statewide, including the Business Council of Westchester, sent a letter to Albany lawmakers this week urging the State to allocate at least two to three billion dollars to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to address the increased taxes on all businesses and the state’s outstanding debt. “Nearly two years after the start of the pandemic, employers, particularly small businesses, continue to face unprecedented challenges. Every sector and industry are confronted with severe labor shortages, rising inflation, and supply chain disruptions while also managing the losses, uncertainty, and unpredictability stemming from COVID-related restrictions and ever-changing public […]

Healthcare leaders featured on the BCW’s State of the Economy: Healthcare webinar on Wednesday discussed a range of issues affecting their industry including how all employers must pay more attention to their workers’ wellbeing to prosper and attract new talent. Charlotte Ostman, CEO of the Mental Health Association of Westchester, told attendees that healthcare employers must now consider mental health and employment policies that they historically did not, such as a flexible schedules, remote work and fair compensation for staff who have endured “vicarious trauma” from seeing patients, clients and co-workers suffer through the pandemic. Ostman noted that employers must […]

CLICK HERE to watch State Of The Economy Series: Healthcare.

Westchester’s nonprofits and religious organizations impacted by COVID-19 pandemic can now apply for funding under the 2022 Westchester County Business FIRST grant program. The Westchester County Office of Economic Development announced this week that it is now accepting applications for this year’s grant program. This year’s grant program will provide up to $17 million. Applications will be accepted online and the application period will remain open for about four weeks. “Our nonprofits and religious organizations have been a vital resource to the communities they support throughout the duration of the pandemic. This round of grant funding is an investment in […]

The challenges facing broadband and 5G was the focus of recent highly informative and timely virtual conference held by the Business Council of Westchester featuring a panel of experts. The panel included Sanjay Udani, Vice President for Policy for Verizon; Ana Rua, who leads New York Government Affairs City & State Strategy at Crown Castle; John Horrigan, Senior Fellow for the Benton Institute for Broadband Society; Assemblywoman Amy Paulin; and Bob Knight, CEO and Managing Partner of Harrison Edwards. The program was moderated by BCW Executive Vice President and COO John Ravitz. Udani provided an overview of the evolution of broadband and […]

BCW Member Iona College has announced that Kavita R. Dhanwada, Ph.D. has been named founding dean of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences. She joins Iona effective July 1, 2022. “Following an extensive national search, Iona College is proud to welcome a forward-thinking, determined and committed leader to help develop the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences,” said Iona College President Seamus Carey, Ph.D. “Dean Dhanwada’s strong reputation for collaborative innovation and proven track record of thoughtful leadership will continue to elevate the Iona experience for our students, faculty and the communities we serve.” “Iona College is at a […]