Sept. 20, 2016 - County Executive Robert P. Astorino, speaking at a luncheon sponsored by the Building Owners and Managers Association, or BOMA, touted the virtues of doing business in the county -- and he pledged his continued support in being a partner in their growth.

The gathering, held on Thursday, Sept. 15 in White Plains, noted access was among the county’s defining economic assets: Access to talent, transit, schools, parks, capital and forward-thinking development.

“Westchester has great resources,” Astorino told a crowd that consisted of executives from some of the county’s industry leaders, notably Mack-Cali Realty, S.L. Green, Celestial and R.P.W. to name a few. “But there is more. County Government wants to be your partner.”

In addition to having one of the most educated workforces in the nation -- 47 percent of residents have at least a bachelor’s degree -- Astorino highlighted Westchester’s access to public transportation, infrastructure and its airport. He cited its excellent schools, parks, shopping and seasonal weather and struck a particularly optimistic tone when talking about Westchester’s future.

And he implored developers to reach out to Westchester County’s Local Development Corporation, which in recent years has secured more than $800 million in low interest financing for the private sector projects big-and-small. As a result, the economy has created thousands of jobs, he said.

To that end, the county is also leading the way with transit oriented development, housing for millennials and is growing its reputation as a hub for the biotech industry. In fact, plans are underway to develop a $1.2 billion, 3 million square foot bio-tech center with advanced medical facilities, a hotel and related retail space in Valhalla. Working in conjunction with developer Fareri Associates, the project is expected to create over $9 million in new tax revenues, $7 million in rent and over 12,000 new jobs.

So too did the county executive highlight a $250 million mixed development project in White Plains, a $197 million development along Yonkers waterfront and another in downtown New Rochelle, near New Rochelle’s mass transit hub. Great things are happening all across Westchester.

“It is clear the market is responding to Westchester’s talent, accessibility and quality of life,” Astorino said. “All of this smart development...That’s creating a future for Westchester.”