April 1, 2016 - Westchester County Executive, Robert P. Astorino welcomed small business from around the tri-state area to the 21st Annual WCBS Small Business Breakfast at the DoubleTree in Tarrytown yesterday. The breakfast, which was co-sponsored by the Westchester County Office of Economic Development, is the radio station's longest running signature event.

"We like to think of Westchester as New York's intellectual capital, because of our highly educated workforce," Astorino said in his welcoming remarks. "Add to that a very business friendly environment, attractively priced office space, a high quality of life and convenient access to Manhattan and other destinations, and it's clear why Westchester is the smart spot for business."

Joe Connolly, WCBS's well-known business reporter, hosted the event and discussed several business topics specific to the event's theme, "building big brands," with the guest panelists Stew Leonard Jr., president and CEO of Stew Leonard's Farm-Fresh Grocery chain, Cindi Bigelow, President and CEO of Bigelow Tea Company, and Mitchell Modell, CEO of Modell's Sporting Goods. The topics discussed by the panelists included innovative ways of doing business, how to grow your business in a downturned economy and how to look for new business without breaking the bank.

For more information on the Westchester County Office of Economic Development and how opportunities for small businesses in Westchester, visit http://business.westchestergov.com/.