Westchester County Business News, December 15, 2015

Yonkers Wins $3 Million As Part of Gov Cuomo’s Economic Development Competition

Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano recently announced that projects in the City of Yonkers have been awarded nearly $3 million in economic and community development funding as part of Round V of Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Regional Economic Development Council Initiative and the Upstate Revitalization Initiative. “Combined with $1 billion of private investment in Yonkers, this funding proves that economic development, job creation, and investment are back on track,” said Mayor Mike Spano. Seven projects were included: the SoYo Mixed-Use Development; the Yonkers Carpet Mills Arts District Revitalization Project; expansion of the Yonkers Downtown Riverwalk; Yonkers Rail Trail Phase One Capital Construction; Greyston Bakery capital improvements; the Yonkers Arts and Culture Project; and production training at Greyston Foundation.

​Tommie Copper Fined $1.35 Million For False Advertising Claims

Mount Kisco-based Tommie Copper, maker of copper- and zinc-infused compression apparel—and much lauded local business success story—has been fined $1.35 million by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for making false claims about the health benefits of its sportswear. The FTC announced the settlement again the firm, and its founder Tommie Kalish, of Bedford, earlier this month, citing that the company’s claims that its clothing would provide relief of chronic pain caused by arthritis were unfounded. According to the settlement, Tommie Copper must also prove “competent and reliable scientific evidence” before making any future claims in its advertisements. Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, noted in the statement, “It’s tempting to believe that wearing certain clothing will eliminate severe pain, but Tommie Copper didn’t have science to back its claims.” The firm has not yet made any public commentary about the fine.

Record Year for County IDA

County Executive Robert P. Astorino announced recently that 2015 was a record year for the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and Local Development Corporation (LDC), which supported 14 projects with total private investment of more than $842 million. The IDA and LDC projects—which ranged from major residential buildings in downtown White Plains to a local produce market in Pound Ridge to a senior housing project in Mount Vernon—created or retained approximately 4,800 permanent and construction jobs. The year-end results were announced at the IDA’s monthly board meeting. Among the major projects receiving IDA financing and incentives in 2015 were LCOR’s $247 million residential towers in downtown White Plains; Lennar’s $275 million mixed-use complex at the site of the Westchester Pavilion in White Plains; and Regeneron’s $196 million expansion of its Tarrytown headquarters. Other projects approved for IDA incentives included a $2.5 million renovation of Scott’s Corner Market in Pound Ridge, Flexjet’s $5.1 million renovation and relocation at the Westchester County Airport and $10.9 million affordable housing project at Chappaqua Crossing.

Nonprofit projects approved by the LDC in 2015 included $11.1 million in tax-exempt bond financing for the Wartburg senior care complex in Mount Vernon and refinancing of a $3.6 million bond for Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights.

WCC Offers Small Business Help

To help small businesses develop effective strategies and strengthen their business models, Westchester Community College (WCC), along with the Westchester-Putnam Workforce Development Board, has created the Just Add One (JAO) Westchester/Putnam program. The ultimate goal of the 11-week program is to add to the business growth and increase employment opportunities in the region. Through the program, eligible businesses will explore the different areas of their company, learn new tools and processes to implement right away and monitor those changes through the help of a coach while focusing on the growth potential of their business. Businesses will also learn strategies for branding, customer service, business leaders, capital acquisition. The program starts on January 14. For more information, contact: g2e@sunywcc.edu or 914-606-5616.

HEINEKEN USA Joins The Recycling Partnership

The Recycling Partnership, a national nonprofit committed to improving curbside residential recycling, recently welcomed as a member White Plains-based HEINEKEN USA, its first alcohol company member. As a leading sponsor, the brewer will provide industry expertise to help improve consumer education, elevate the quality of curbside recycling and drive increased recovery of recyclable glass in communities nationwide. “Welcoming HEINEKEN USA to our strong network of partners and sponsors will accelerate our efforts to improve the recycling infrastructure and address glass recycling opportunities,” said Keefe Harrison, Executive Director of The Recycling Partnership. Globally, HEINEKEN has a long-standing dedication to sustainability. The company’s Brewing a Better World program focuses on issues including CO2 emissions reduction, community partnerships, and sustainable sourcing. The Recycling Partnership works to improve recycling in communities across the country. “Our programs create lasting and measurable value,” says Keefe Harrison, Executive Director of The Recycling Partnership. “Currently, our work is reaching 71 communities which represents over 1.2 million households. Our model is scalable and with each new member, our reach expands.”