The Business Council of Westchester (BCW) recently added its voice to a powerful statewide coalition of 30 trade, business, and research organizations, urging New York’s leadership to reject tax increases in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget negotiations. In a formal letter addressed to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, the coalition warned that the proposed One-House tax measures would undermine New York’s economic stability at a critical juncture. While the Governor’s initial Executive Budget earned praise for prioritizing fiscal discipline, the legislative proposals currently on the table represent a sharp pivot toward higher […]

The Yonkers waterfront continues to evolve into a vibrant and growing residential community with the opening this week of Pier III at Hudson Piers, the latest phase of BCW Member and a member of the BCW’s Coalition for Smart Growth Extell Development Company’s large-scale mixed-use project in downtown Yonkers.  The seven-story building includes 176 rental apartments, ranging from studios to three-bedroom units, with initial occupancy expected next month. The Hudson Piers project spans more than 20 acres and is expected to include about 1,400 residences across six buildings, along with retail space and public access along the riverfront.  Pier III features […]

Deputy Secretary Sean Ewart Aligns with CEAC Priorities: Demand Response, Solar + Storage, and All-of-the-Above Solutions WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — March 27, 2026 — Governor Kathy Hochul’s Deputy Secretary for Energy, Sean Ewart, delivered a direct address to Westchester’s business community today, affirming a message central to the Business Council of Westchester’s (BCW’s) Clean Energy Action Coalition (CEAC), energy policy is economic policy. Ewart spoke to 70 Westchester leaders who attended a special luncheon of Dealmakers – a bi-monthly lunch gathering designed for business professionals in the area with a strong interest in real estate development. Sponsored by Murphy Brothers […]

Westchester Innovation Network (WIN) participant Right Route recently achieved a new milestone at the New York Association for Pupil Transportation (NYAPT) conference in Albany. Following a successful local pilot program, the Ossining-based startup led by founder and CEO Sergio Alfonso participated for the first time as a vendor in the conference’s trade show. Previously involved with NYAPT as a professional member through the Lower Hudson chapter, Alfonso used this opportunity to experience the conference from the vendor side. “The main reason we were there was to test the markets,” said Alfonso. “We received a lot of positive feedback, made great […]

The Business Council of Westchester (The BCW), with support from Google.org, convened its inaugural AI Intensive program this week, bringing together a dynamic group of local small business leaders committed to understanding and integrating artificial intelligence into their operations. The session marked an important milestone as Cohort 1 officially comes to a close, capping off a highly successful first chapter of this forward-thinking initiative. Over the course of the program, participating small business spanning industries such as healthcare, financial services, hospitality, technology, and professional services have worked collaboratively to explore practical AI applications, improve efficiencies, and position themselves for long-term […]

The Business Council of Westchester (The BCW), the county’s largest business membership organization focusing on economic development and advocacy, supports the laudable goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). However, the BCW believes that we need to prioritize initiatives that immediately reduce energy costs while making a more systematic transition to a clean energy economy. The findings released by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) provide a sobering validation of the Business Council of Westchester’s (BCW) long-standing concerns regarding the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s (CLCPA) timeline and costs. The state’s analysis […]