The race for county executive in November shapes up as a pro-business battle. The nuances differ, but both Republican and Democrat will run on their respective bottom-line achievements.
Businesses will closely monitor the race between incumbent Republican Robert P. Astorino and Democrat Noam Bramson, mayor of New Rochelle.
Westchester”™s two business advocacy groups, the Westchester County Association and The Business Council of Westchester, do not make endorsements. But they have met with both candidates and have advocated pro-business agendas they would like to see enacted.
Bramson is in his second full term as mayor; Astorino is seeking reelection to a second term.
Both business groups said it is important the county executive and business groups work together to grow business.
“We need to promote Westchester as a place to come in and do business,” said John Ravitz, executive vice president of the Business Council. “The role of the county executive is to really be the architect of economic development for Westchester.”
Ravitz said while he knows where Astorino stands on the issues, he is interested in hearing Bramson”™s solutions, including regarding regulation, mandate relief and youth flight.
“How do we keep people here in Westchester?” Ravitz said. “We want them to start a business and stay here. We have to keep this a tax-friendly county and not put up too many obstacles to prevent people from doing business here.”
Ravitz said he looks forward to having a strong line of communication with the candidates and said it will be “a fascinating race.”
Amy Allen, director of government affairs at the Westchester County Association, said the race”™s top issue is economic development.
“How do we move the county forward?” Allen said. “We have to attract and maintain businesses and repurpose inventory.”
Allen said she would like to see more public-private partnerships, where the county and business work directly to promote economic growth. She said it is important the county executive keep taxes low.
“We are the worst taxed county in the country,” Allen said. “There are benefits that go along with those taxes, but it”™s unsustainable.”
In his three-plus years as county executive, Astorino has made protecting taxpayers, preserving essential services and promoting economic growth his stated hallmarks.
“Government doesn”™t create jobs, but it can be helpful,” Phil Oliva, special assistant to Astorino said.
Since Astorino took office, his administration says Westchester gained more than $500 million in private capital investment, retained 4,800 jobs and created 4,600 new jobs. Before he took office, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. and Blue Sky Studios had made plans and followed through to leave the county. Now, Astorino points out, companies including IBM Inc. and PepsiCo Inc. remain in Westchester. He also points to county taxes decreasing 2 percent since he took office.
“Government needs to work with businesses,” Oliva said. “When Rob took office, he called businesses like Pepsi and said, ”˜How can we help?”™ We have to keep taxes low while preserving the quality of life.”
Astorino has promoted Westchester as New York”™s “Intellectual Capital,” using its Industrial Development Agency and newly created Local Development Corp. to assist businesses and nonprofits in large projects.
“Rob is not going to rest until everybody that wants a job has a job in Westchester,” Oliva said. “The county needs to work with businesses and use the tools available like tax incentives and helping businesses navigate the rules and regulations.”
The county approved more than $10 million in public works projects, with $58 million awaiting approval from the Board of Legislators, with another $75 million slated for approval. Astorino hopes these projects will give a boost to the beleaguered construction industry.
Business groups have complained about the need for mandate relief from Albany, which can crimp municipalities struggling to stay within the state-mandated 2 percent cap on the tax levy increases.
“There is no end in sight,” Oliva said regarding mandates. “It cuts down on the wiggle room of Rob to invest and provide tax relief for residents. We could have a lot more flexibility if we had true mandate relief. It is the single greatest impediment of tax relief.”
“We need them to grow and foster a good economy,” Oliva said, praising Astorino. “When you are not hostile and present yourself as a leader, it gives them an incentive to stay.”
Bramson said the county needs a clear plan for growth that can attract new jobs and bring economic vitality to urban centers while also protecting natural resources and the quality of life.
“We have to work in partnership with our cities to assist with the preparation of zoning codes and developing comprehensive plans and environmental impacts that can streamline sustainable development,” Bramson said.
Bramson said it is important the county invests in infrastructure and advocates for more transit-oriented housing and green development.
“Environmental and economic planning go hand in hand,” Bramson said. “We want to utilize energy conservation to promote transit-oriented growth.”
As mayor of New Rochelle, Bramson said he has pushed for sustainable economic development that created new jobs. He cited development at New Rochelle”™s train station and improved relationships with the business community.
“A healthy business sector is critical to every objective we may want to pursue,” Bramson said. He said the city”™s improved urban center is such an example.
“We promoted investment and worked in partnership to support infrastructure improvements as new parks,” Bramson said. “We built a business-friendly culture that worked with business leaders to address regulatory approval, environmental reviews and other measures necessary to stimulate development.”
The city created a Business Improvement District to promote New Rochelle as open for business.
Bramson strongly supports the $74 million Echo Bay project, where the city will sell public land to Cleveland-based Forest City Residential Group, a division of Forest City Enterprises, for residential and commercial development.
Bramson said Echo Bay will create a public park, clean up contaminated land, expand New Rochelle”™s tax base and inject millions into the economy. He said the project, which envisions a 285-unit, 302,500-square-foot apartment complex on 6.4 acres of a total 26-acre parcel, received support, though not universal, from environmentalists and businesses.
Echo Bay detractors have formed in opposition, voicing concerns that include school populations and traffic.
“I always respect public input,” Bramson said. “I think community discussion of a major development is always helpful.”
To keep the youth in Westchester, Bramson said the county must address the cost of living. He said the county needs more quality affordable housing close to mass transit.
Bramson said a county executive needs to be actively engaged in promoting businesses and encouraging economic growth.
“You need to have a comprehensive strategy for land use, transportation infrastructure and human capital that makes Westchester an attractive place to do business,” Bramson said.
