BCW member Soulful Synergy announced that they had received new state funding aimed at expanding job training opportunities in the region. Soulful Synergy, led by co-founders Alejandro Alvarez and Dwayne Norris, both BCW Rising Star Alumni, will use the funding to further its mission of preparing residents for careers in construction, clean energy, and other high-demand industries. The new program, developed in partnership with the City of New Rochelle, connects participants with hands-on training, certifications, and direct pathways to employment. Through initiatives like New Rochelle Forward, residents gain access to career readiness services, job placement support, and connections to local employers […]

The Westchester Innovation Network (WIN), an initiative of the Business Council of Westchester (BCW), has successfully facilitated a cutting-edge collaboration between technology startup Astrabeam and Tompkins Excavating. The pairing brought advanced sensor fusion technology directly to the field to enhance safety in the construction sector. Astrabeam recently visited the Tompkins Excavating facility to conduct a critical sensor data experiment. The test involved mounting Astrabeam’s specialized multi-modality sensors onto one of Tompkins’ heavy-duty earthmovers. These sensors provide high-resolution imaging and detection that can penetrate environmental obstacles like dust, smoke, and debris—conditions frequently encountered on active construction sites. For Astrabeam, the experiment represents […]

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 costs. […]

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 modern […]

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 Contracting […]

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 connections, […]