The Area Development Council focuses on identifying and promoting policies supporting business growth. The council studies area development issues impacting business development and, where appropriate, offers positions. The council also works on regional issues that affect Westchester County.

Agenda items may include (but not be limited to):

• Transportation
• The Council remains committed to an east/west rail line over a new Hudson River crossing as the best solution for the long-term transportation requirements of the region.
• The President/CEO will co-chair the Westchester Rockland Futures Task Force to ensure that the Council plays a leadership role in a regional approach to transportation planning and funding and to raise public awareness for the Tappan Zee Bridge and I/287 corridor project and other significant transportation proposals.
• The Business Council of Westchester will continue to support Westchester County Airport.
  
  
• Workforce Housing
• The Business Council of Westchester remains focused on the critical need to increase the supply of workforce housing, both owned and rental, in Westchester.
• The President/CEO will actively participate on the County Legislative Housing Committee and the Vice President, Government & Community Relations will be actively engaged as a member of the Board of Directors of the Housing Action Council, Inc.
• The Council will explore best practices in other areas relating to the development of workforce housing, particularly the potential of implementations of a bill similar to the Long Island Workforce Incentive Program.
  
  
• Development of Westchester’s Cities
• The Business Council will support positive development in Westchester’s County’s urban centers.
• The Council supports Local Development Corporations as a viable economic development tool, assuming proper and appropriate controls, given their history and success in New York State.
  
  
• Biotechnology Development
• Work towards the successful implementation of a vibrant biotechnology industry in Westchester County and the region through active participation in the Hudson Valley Bio Alliance.
  
  
• Planning/Zoning
• The Business Council will work to be a pro-business advocate in planning/zoning and other regulatory issues, including but not limited to SEQRA, and other licensing issues.
  
  
• Energy – The Business Council of Westchester will continue to advocate for a business friendly energy policy and for a power supply that is efficient, reliable, safe, fairly priced, and environmentally friendly. To that end, we support the following:
• Increasing the County’s energy generation capacity, as well as the development of alternate energy sources and energy conservation
• The Millennium Pipeline
• The continued operation of Indian Point, along with comprehensive evacuation plans. It is irresponsible to close this plant without replacing the energy it produces.
  
  
• Eminent Domain – The Council believes the current system is flawed and any proposed solution must adequately compensate and give increased notice to the property owner without unduly delaying the implementation of an economic development project..
  
  
• Commercial Assessment Ratio (CAR) Legislation - The Council opposes CAR legislation which would shift the tax burden from single family homeowners to commercial owners and make it more difficult for Westchester commercial property owners and developers to compete with neighboring counties.

The Business Council of Westchester will also work with other groups, including, The Building & Realty Institute, The Westchester County Board of Realtors, and the Construction Industry Council, among others, on policy issues that support business development.

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