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Economic growth

New Barnes & Noble Coming To Mount Kisco: Here's Where New Barnes & Noble Coming To Mount Kisco: Here's Where
New Barnes & Noble Coming To Mount Kisco: Here's Where Iconic bookstore chain Barnes & Noble will soon open a new location in Northern Westchester. The mega-bookseller has signed a lease to open a new store in the former Walgreens space at 55 South Moger Ave. in Mount Kisco, according to Beth Vetare Civitello, Co-Executive Director of the Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce.  The 13,700-square-foot store will take the space as of Friday, Aug. 2, Vetare Civitello added.  In a statement, the Chamber of Commerce said the store's arrival would help Mount Kisco become a "hub of Northern Westchester."  "Our belief…
Officials In Westchester Call For Direct Access To Penn Station Via Hudson Line Officials In Westchester Call For Direct Access To Penn Station Via Hudson Line
Officials In Westchester Call For Direct Access To Penn Station Via Hudson Line Officials in the Hudson Valley are calling on the MTA to undertake a study on the feasibility of providing direct access to Penn Station from the Hudson Line.  In a letter addressed to MTA Chief Executive Officer Janno Lieber, Westchester County Executive George Latimer called on the transportation agency to conduct a study on having direct one-seat access to Manhattan's Penn Station from the Hudson Line, Latimer announced on Wednesday, Jan. 17.  "The advantages of such a connection are abundant," Latimer wrote in the latter, adding, "Improved transportation links would …
Thruway Would Get New Exit In Coeymans Under Proposal From Albany County Legislator Thruway Would Get New Exit In Coeymans Under Proposal From Albany County Legislator
Thruway Would Get New Exit In Coeymans Under Proposal From Albany County Legislator Drivers could soon see a new exit on the New York State Thruway. Albany County Legislator Zach Collins is asking Gov. Kathy Hochul to approve construction of a new exit on I-87 in the town of Coeymans. In a letter sent to Hochul’s office Thursday, Dec. 14, Collins said increased industrial traffic regularly clogs State Routes 143 and 144, “causing significant quality of life issues for residents in Coeymans and Ravena.” Because of the town’s location, large commercial vehicles must use the state routes to reach Thruway exits 22 to the north and 21B to the south. “The large amount of truck…
Albany's College Of Saint Rose Shutting Down After 103 Years Albany's College Of Saint Rose Shutting Down After 103 Years
Albany's College Of Saint Rose Shutting Down After 103 Years After more than a century in operations, Albany’s College of Saint Rose is permanently closing amid mounting financial struggles. The school’s board of trustees voted Thursday, Nov. 30, to shut down the college at the end of the Spring 2024 semester. “It is with a heavy heart that the Board decided to close the college at the end of this academic year,” Board Chair Jeffrey Stone said.  "The Board determined that the College does not have the financial resources to operate for the full 2024-2025 academic year and therefore cannot remain a standalone institution.” It comes after years …
Ground Level Beach Club Among Highlights Of Luxury Athletic Club Coming To Jersey Shore Ground Level Beach Club Among Highlights Of Luxury Athletic Club Coming To Jersey Shore
Ground Level Beach Club Among Highlights Of Luxury Athletic Club Coming To Jersey Shore A massive athletic club complete with a ground-level, resort-like beach club is under construction in Monmouth County. The Life Time facility in Middletown, its eighth in New Jersey, is expected to be complete in 2024. Click here to get on the wait list. Once finished, Life Time Middletown – Red Bank will provide a highly personalized, luxury approach to health and wellness with modern architecture, beautiful spaces and an abundance of amenities.  Highlights include: Three-floor building with an additional 50,000-square-foot, ground level outdoor beach club and bistro with leis…
$10.9 Million Bridge Replacement Project Complete In Putnam County $10.9 Million Bridge Replacement Project Complete In Putnam County
$10.9 Million Bridge Replacement Project Complete In Putnam County State officials announced the completion of bridge replacement projects that cost a total of about $15 million in the Hudson Valley. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the completion of the projects to replace the US Route 6 Bridge in Putnam County and the State Route 209 Bridge in Ulster County on Tuesday, June 28. Hochul said the $10.9 million project in Brewster to replace the US Route 6 Bridge over Metro-North Railroad's Harlem River Line creates a direct intersection with Michael Neuner Drive, fulfilling a goal to improve downtown access to Brewster's western neighborhoods.  The $4…
Yorktown Supervisor To Run For State Assembly Yorktown Supervisor To Run For State Assembly
Yorktown Supervisor To Run For State Assembly A popular Republican lawmaker in Northern Westchester announced that he will be stepping away from his current position at the end of the year as he seeks a state Assembly seat. Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater, age 36, who was re-elected for a second term in an uncontested election in November, says he will challenge for the seat currently held by Republican Kevin Byrne in the 94th State Assembly District this year. The 94th District includes parts of Northern Westchester and most of Putnam County.  It is currently occupied by Byrne, who earned the GOP nomination to run for longtime P…
Rockland County Executive Ed Day Announces Staffing Changes Rockland County Executive Ed Day Announces Staffing Changes
Rockland County Executive Ed Day Announces Staffing Changes Rockland County Executive Ed Day has announced a series of staffing changes that will take effect this week. Day said beginning Monday, Feb. 28, Chief of Staff Mike Hoblin will replace Deputy County Executive Guillermo Rosa, who retired on Friday, Feb. 25. "Guillermo Rosa has been by my side since I first took office in 2014 and moved mountains in service to Rockland residents," Day said in a statement. "Guillermo is directly responsible for many of the transformational initiatives we have implemented within county government over the last eight years and has led the charge of mod…
Here's How Much, When Minimum Wage Will Increase In CT Here's How Much, When Minimum Wage Will Increase In CT
Here's How Much, When Minimum Wage Will Increase In CT While some neighboring states will see a rise in their minimum wage to begin the new year, Connecticut employees will have to wait a few months as it works toward Gov. Ned Lamont’s goal of $15 hourly by 2023. New York and Massachusetts both will see their minimum wage rise as of Jan. 1, 2022, but Connecticut employees will have to wait until July to see their pay hike reflected on their paychecks. On July 1, 2022, minimum wage in Connecticut will be going up a dollar, from $13 to $14 hourly, the fourth straight year that the state saw an increase as it looks to get to $15 hourly by June 202…
Connecticut's Minimum Wage To Take Effect In Days Connecticut's Minimum Wage To Take Effect In Days
Connecticut's Minimum Wage To Take Effect In Days Connecticut's minimum wage is set to increase to $13 soon, as the state progresses toward a $15 minimum wage.  Beginning Sunday, Aug. 1, the minimum wage will increase from $12 per hour to $13 per hour.  The legislation was signed into law by Gov. Ned Lamont in 2019, requiring scheduled increases over a five-year period until the minimum wage will ultimately increase to $15 on June 1 of 2023. “Nobody working a full-time job should live in poverty,” Lamont said. “For too long, while the nation’s economy grew, the income of the lowest-earning workers has stayed flat, making already…
$10,000 To Move To WesternMass? 8 US Places That Will Pay You To Relocate $10,000 To Move To WesternMass? 8 US Places That Will Pay You To Relocate
$10,000 To Move To WesternMass? 8 US Places That Will Pay You To Relocate How much would Massachusetts have to pay you to move to Western Massachusetts? It’s a question being asked on Beacon Hill now as area politicians push for legislation that would provide a stipend to people who move to the more rural part of the state. State Rep. Eric Lesser (D-Longmeadow) has proposed a bill that would pay people up to $10,000 to move to Western Massachusetts. The money is meant to cover relocation expenses. First proposed in 2019, the bill has seen new attention this fall as talk of a proposed east-west commuter train has heated up. Western Massachusetts is not the f…
Time Is Money: Here's How Much Traffic Congestion Costs NYC Commuters Time Is Money: Here's How Much Traffic Congestion Costs NYC Commuters
Time Is Money: Here's How Much Traffic Congestion Costs NYC Commuters The daily congestion that commuters deal with each day is costing New York City billions of dollars, according to a new study. INRIX, Inc. a transportation analytics service published it’s latest Global Traffic Scorecard that identified and ranked congestion and mobility trends in more than 900 cities, across 43 countries. That study found that New York City commuters ranked fourth overall - down from second last year - nationwide in losing an average of 140 hours in congestion. The cost each driver incurs while being stuck in traffic is an average of $2,072 annually, and the total cost to …
$12 Minimum Wage Starts Today, Sept. 1; More Increases Planned $12 Minimum Wage Starts Today, Sept. 1; More Increases Planned
$12 Minimum Wage Starts Today, Sept. 1; More Increases Planned Today is the first day of a $12 per hour minimum wage in Connecticut. Just yesterday, the minimum wage in Connecticut was $11 per hour. The hike is part of a law passed last year to raise the minimum wage over the next several years. “Nobody working a full-time job should live in poverty,” said Governor Ned Lamont. “For too long, while the nation’s economy grew the income of the lowest-earning workers has stayed flat.” The minimum wage law - “Public Act 19-4” - was passed in May 2019. There are three more increases planned: - $13 per hour starting Aug. 1, 2021 - $14 per hour starting …
Effort To Overhaul Kingsland Ave. Bridge In Nutley Gets A Boost Effort To Overhaul Kingsland Ave. Bridge In Nutley Gets A Boost
Effort To Overhaul Kingsland Ave. Bridge In Nutley Gets A Boost The Army Corps of Engineers has issued a permit that will allow officials to seek final approval for a plan to repair or replace entirely the 114-year-old Kingsland Avenue bridge connecting Nutley and Lyndhurst, the office of Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-9) said Friday. A project must now be approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.  “A decaying two-lane road beset by traffic bottlenecks and drawbridge jams is no longer acceptable for the 21,000 vehicles crossing this bridge every day to go to work, take kids to the doctor, and run to the market,” Pascrell said in a statement Our federal, state, cou…
$119M Project To Reconstruct Section Of Major Deegan Expressway Starts $119M Project To Reconstruct Section Of Major Deegan Expressway Starts
$119M Project To Reconstruct Section Of Major Deegan Expressway Starts A $119 million project to reconstruct a stretch of the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx has kicked off. The New York State Department of Transportation announced that construction has begun on the project in both directions of the expressway between West 161st Street and the Alexander Hamilton Bridge. According to the NYSDOT, the project “which includes the addition of a northbound auxiliary lane and the replacement of the northbound and southbound viaducts with new roadways built on earth fill,” will improve traffic flow and enhance safety along this major artery in the Bronx, ensuring…
CT Senate OKs $43 Billion State Budget Lamont Hails As 'Fair, Balanced,' But GOP Senator Slams CT Senate OKs $43 Billion State Budget Lamont Hails As 'Fair, Balanced,' But GOP Senator Slams
CT Senate OKs $43 Billion State Budget Lamont Hails As 'Fair, Balanced,' But GOP Senator Slams As promised by Gov. Ned Lamont, Connecticut's $43 billion budget is on time and balanced.  That wasn't enough good news for 14 Senate Republicans and two Democrats who voted against it on Tuesday night, June 4. By a 20-16 vote, the Senate passed a two-year budget that Republicans complained is full of new taxes and shifts billions of dollars in pension debt onto the next generation of taxpayers. The budget erases a $3 billion deficit that Lamont inherited when he became governor in January. Lamont got the support of legislators in making new investments in health care and boostin…
Con Ed Deal May End Natural Gas Moratorium In Westchester Con Ed Deal May End Natural Gas Moratorium In Westchester
Con Ed Deal May End Natural Gas Moratorium In Westchester Con Edison has reached an agreement with an out-of-state natural gas pipeline that will pave the way to ending the gas moratorium in Westchester that took effect last month. The utility company announced that it has made a deal with the owners of Tennessee Gas Pipeline, which will provide increased natural gas capacity to Con Edison’s distribution system in Westchester, though the moratorium won’t be lifted until November 2023. Under the agreement, Tennessee Gas Pipeline would provide the increased natural gas capacity to Con Edison’s distribution system in Westchester by upgrading compres…
Westchester Municipality Makes Elite Eight In 'Strongest Towns In America' Westchester Municipality Makes Elite Eight In 'Strongest Towns In America'
Westchester Municipality Makes Elite Eight In 'Strongest Towns In America' Iona College may have fallen to the University of North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament opening road, but New Rochelle has made it into the Elite Eight round of a competition naming the “Strongest Town in America.” After taking down Sheboygan, Wisconsin to earn their spot in the second round, New Rochelle is now matched up against Portsmouth, N.H. for a seat in the Final Four of the competition, which is being hosted by the national nonprofit Strong Towns. According to officials, the “Strongest Town contest is a month-long, bracket-based competition designed to spotlight communities from ar…
Westchester Municipality Makes Sweet Sixteen In 'Strongest Towns In America' Westchester Municipality Makes Sweet Sixteen In 'Strongest Towns In America'
Westchester Municipality Makes Sweet Sixteen In 'Strongest Towns In America' While all eyes are on NCAA Tournament brackets, a Westchester municipality has made it to the Sweet Sixteen round of a competition naming the “Strongest Town in America.” New Rochelle was named one of the finalists for the “Strongest Town in America” competition, which is being hosted by the national nonprofit Strong Towns. According to officials, the “Strongest Town contest is a month-long, bracket-based competition designed to spotlight communities from around the world that are building enduring financial resilience at the local level and actively embodying the Strong Towns approach to e…
Trump, Cuomo Tax Talk At White House Turns To Abortion, Fracking Trump, Cuomo Tax Talk At White House Turns To Abortion, Fracking
Trump, Cuomo Tax Talk At White House Turns To Abortion, Fracking New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo put aside his differences with President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss tax reform, abortion and fracking at the White House. The meeting had been scheduled to discuss the $10,000 cap on the federal deduction for state and local taxes (SALT). The governor has previously blamed Trump’s tax legislation for the state’s $2.3 billion revenue drop. "The federal administration's SALT policy is an economic civil war that helps red states at the expense of blue states, and we are now seeing the potentially devastating effect of it in the form of significantly lowe…
IBM Investing $2 Billion In New York For Artificial Intelligence Research IBM Investing $2 Billion In New York For Artificial Intelligence Research
IBM Investing $2 Billion In New York For Artificial Intelligence Research IBM is making a big investment in its future in New York. The Westchester-based company announced that it will be teaming with SUNY Polytechnic Institute to create a new “hardware lab” in Albany as part of a $2 billion pledge by the company to spread its footprint in New York. The AI Hardware Center at SUNY Poly will be established for artificial intelligence-focused computer chip research, development, prototyping, testing and simulation. Once established, officials said “the AI Hardware Center will be the nucleus of a new ecosystem of research and commercial partners, and further solidify…
NYSDOT Completes $2.9 Million Intersection Improvement In East Fishkill NYSDOT Completes $2.9 Million Intersection Improvement In East Fishkill
Nysdot Completes $2.9 Million Intersection Improvement In East Fishkill A multi-million dollar project to improve safety at a busy Dutchess County intersection has been completed. The New York State Department of Transportation announced that crews have completed a $2.9 million project to reduce congestion and enhance safety at the intersection of Route 376 and Robinson Lane/Lake Walton Road in East Fishkill. The improvements include additional turning lanes and a new traffic signal with left-turn phasing. Acting NYSDOT Commissioner Paul Karas said the now-completed project was designed to “improve traffic flow through one of East Fishkill’s busiest areas and i…
Most On Record: Here's What Percentage Of Americans Will Travel This Holiday Season Most On Record: Here's What Percentage Of Americans Will Travel This Holiday Season
Most On Record: Here's What Percentage Of Americans Will Travel This Holiday Season Planning on traveling for the holidays? You won’t be alone. Fresh on the heels of one of the busiest Thanksgiving travel seasons, Americans getting ready to go on the move for the Christmas and New Year holidays. AAA estimates that a record-breaking 112.5 million travelers - more than a third of all Americans - are expected to visit family and friends for the holiday. “’Tis the season for holiday travel, and more Americans than ever will journey to spend time with friends and family or choose to take a vacation,” Bryan Shilling, managing director of AAA Travel products and services stated. …
Molinaro Signs 2019 Dutchess County Budget Described As 'Bipartisan' Molinaro Signs 2019 Dutchess County Budget Described As 'Bipartisan'
Molinaro Signs 2019 Dutchess County Budget Described As 'Bipartisan' Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has officially signed the 2019 County Budget, which was recently approved through a bipartisan vote. The budget, which was signed Friday, Dec. 14, includes numerous changes, such as the reduction of the county property tax levy for what will be the fifth consecutive year. The budget will also include a lower property tax rate for the fourth year, from $3.54 to $3.45 for $1,000 of true value assessments. Services for veterans and seniors will be improved, as will youth program funding. The budget will also make a number of targeted investments to grow …
Parting Plan? Malloy Offers Lamont Insights On Multi-Billion-Dollar State Deficit Parting Plan? Malloy Offers Lamont Insights On Multi-Billion-Dollar State Deficit
Parting Plan? Malloy Offers Lamont Insights On Multi-Billion-Dollar State Deficit During the gubernatorial debates, Democrat Ned Lamont said his first order of business would be to craft a fiscally-responsible state budget within 90 days. The clock is ticking, and outgoing governor Dannel P. Malloy offered the governor-elect some tips. Malloy suggested some strategies to avert a multi-billion-dollar deficit that Connecticut could face over the next two years — if solutions remain elusive. Malloy suggested that Lamont, a Democrat from Greenwich, tap into state reserves to avoid tax hikes. Other deficit-trimming options Malloy cited in his transition budget include: â€¦
Stephen Meskers' Historic House Win In Greenwich Among Most Noteworthy Results Statewide Stephen Meskers' Historic House Win In Greenwich Among Most Noteworthy Results Statewide
Stephen Meskers' Historic House Win In Greenwich Among Most Noteworthy Results Statewide A 60-year-old newcomer to state politics marked a first for Connecticut on Election Day. On Nov. 6, Stephen Meskers became the first Democrat to win the 150th District House seat since 1912. In last week's election, Meskers edged Republican Rep. Michael Bocchino in a legislative district that represents much of Greenwich. He brings public fiscal experience to his new statehouse job after active membership for 14 years as a town representative in Greenwich, serving as vice chair of the RTM's Education Committee. What makes Meskers victory even more noteworthy is that the 150th District…
McDonald’s, Franchisees To Invest $320M To Modernize New York Restaurants McDonald’s, Franchisees To Invest $320M To Modernize New York Restaurants
McDonald’s, Franchisees To Invest $320M To Modernize New York Restaurants McDonald’s USA announced that the company and its franchisees are investing about $320 million in New York this year and next to reconstruct and modernize 360 area McDonald’s restaurants. The upgrades are aimed at offering new self-service technology and a more engaging customer experience, officials said. Nationwide, McDonald’s and franchisees are investing nearly $6 billion to modernize most U.S. restaurants by 2020. Some area residents have already offered mixed reviews to similar remodeling projects that included modern ordering kiosks as reported here by Daily Voice.  The transformed…
$2.2M Grant Will Fix 'Seven Pipes' Bridge In Oradell Reservoir $2.2M Grant Will Fix 'Seven Pipes' Bridge In Oradell Reservoir
$2.2M Grant Will Fix 'Seven Pipes' Bridge In Oradell Reservoir A $2.2 million contract has been awarded to repair the Seven Pipes Bridge in the Oradell Reservoir. Bergen County officials on Thursday awarded a contract to replace the Closter-Harrington Park bridge over the northeastern part of the reservoir. The County expects to begin work on this project in the late Spring of 2018.  “Our bridges and roads help make up the backbone of our surface transportation network,” County Executive James Tedesco said.  “When our bridges and roads fall into disrepair due to their advancing age, it is important that we repair them because maintaining our infrastr…
Lawsuit Dismissed Over $60M Mount Vernon LaPorte Development Lawsuit Dismissed Over $60M Mount Vernon LaPorte Development
Lawsuit Dismissed Over $60M Mount Vernon LaPorte Development The City of Mount Vernon and the developer of a multi-million dollar, 159-unit affordable housing complex have reached a settlement that will clear the way for the La Porte development in the heart of the city. Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas announced the dismissal of a lawsuit by developer Peter Fine of Manhattan-based Blue Rio LLC, who agreed to pay the city $300,000 and issued a public apology to Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas. The lawsuit alleged that the mayor and an unnamed adviser met with Fine in March 2016, but when the adviser was later turned down for a consulting job, the …
Palisades Center Mall Celebrates 20th Anniversary Palisades Center Mall Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Palisades Center Mall Celebrates 20th Anniversary Palisades Center mall in West Nyack, is celebrating its 20th Anniversary on Friday, March 2 from 6 to 8:p.m.  Since the shopping center's official opening on March 4, 1998, Palisades Center has been a destination for Hudson Valley residents and travelers alike, attracting 24 million guests each year. That ranks Palisades Center among the top ten most visited malls in America. Palisades Center is a four-level shopping center with more than 200 stores, 15 restaurants, a bowling alley, ice rink, the world's tallest indoor ropes course, comedy club, and more.  “We are thrilled to celebrate twe…
New I-95 Widening Plan Introduced New I-95 Widening Plan Introduced
New I-95 Widening Plan Introduced Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Thursday released another plan to widen I-95 to relieve Fairfield County congestion and issued a plea to lawmakers to adopt new funding sources to pay for it. Malloy joined Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner James P. Redeker in releasing a study on the impact of widening and improving both the western and eastern portions of Interstate 95 in Connecticut, and outlined the consequences of failing to act. Currently, peak morning and evening congestion on the highway accounts for 54 million hours of delay and costs $1.2 billion in lost time annually. …