Westchester Launches Industry Desks to Support Local Companies

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Manufacturing industry leaders come together to attract new and diverse companies and help Westchester’s business sector thrive.

The Westchester County Office of Economic Development is dedicated to helping businesses prosper in Westchester and, as the pandemic takes a toll on various local companies, it’s creating new ways to offer support.

The office has launched its new Advanced Manufacturing Industry Desk, which will help provide key information to existing companies in Westchester and attract new ones to the county. This announcement follows the launch of a similar Biosciences Industry Desk in February.

“Advanced manufacturing has been a staple in the Westchester business landscape for decades, and we have been amazed at the strength of this sector, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 health crisis,” Westchester County Executive George Latimer says. “The creation of an industry desk and task force to support this important sector will not only give our existing businesses the tools needed to continue expanding, but it will also attract new players to the county.”

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As part of the industry desk, an Advanced Manufacturing Task Force has been created. The task force features local professionals and a diverse range of stakeholders with expertise in the sector such as Packaging Technologies & Inspection, Bantam Tools, and METCAR. The task force will serve as a resource and provide insight into workforce needs, real estate issues, financing, and more.

The Advanced Manufacturing Task Force is chaired by Westchester County Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons. Other members include Business Council of Westchester President and CEO Dr. Marsha Gordon, Westchester County Association President and CEO Michael Romita, President and CEO of METCAR Matthew Brennan, and President of Micromold Products, Inc. Justin Lukach.

Other members of the task force include:

  • President and CEO of Magnetic Analysis Corporation Dudley Boden
  • Harold King, Executive Vice President, Council of Industry of Southeastern New York
  • Thom Kleiner, Executive Director, Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board
  • Ron Lorentzen, General Manager, Bantam Tools
  • Deborah Novick, Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Westchester County Office of Economic Development
  • Oliver Stauffer, CEO, Packaging Technologies & Inspection
  • Teresita Wisell, Vice President, Workforce Development and Community Engagement, Westchester Community College

“The Hudson Valley has become a true hub for advanced manufacturing, with Westchester serving as the heart of the region with a diverse and growing industry,” Gibbons says. “With 28 higher education institutions and award-winning public schools, our workforce aligns with many of these businesses’ needs.

“When recently speaking with established advanced manufacturers in our county, we quickly discovered a workforce development issue: There is a strong need for machinists, which is impacting their ability to grow and expand,” she adds. “Our team jumped into action and we are working on a solution to address this issue alongside our partners throughout the county.”

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