Page 36 - Westchester County Economic Development Guide 2013

park corridor.
The Coalition – a high-level, 20-member
committee of business and community
leaders – is also involved in ongoing efforts
to help young entrepreneurs find access
to capital for establishing or expanding a
business.
Coalition Chairman Timothy M. Jones,
Managing Director/Partner with the
Elmsford-based Robert Martin Company
real estate and investment firm, notes that
regulations and the current state of the
economy have made it difficult for banks
that are lending at the local level.
“In the old days, a community banker
could make a decision based on his
knowledge of the person and the business,
but that’s become a much, much more risky
and expensive decision,” Jones says. “One
of the things we’re doing is identifying
and creating sources of capital for smaller,
younger businesses.”
The Coalition has partnered with the
Inner City Capital Connection (ICCC),
which helps develop businesses that are
more urban-oriented. Businesses chosen by
the ICCC have received additional training
and introductions to potential equity
partners.
The Coalition also works with the Mid-
Hudson Regional Economic Development
Council, which helps businesses access
government funding while also identifying
both sources for and users of private
capital. The coalition pinpoints businesses
that might be a good fit for private or
government capital and encourages them
to apply.
“We’re also working to develop our own
sources of capital,” Jones says. “Access to
capital is one of the really critical pieces.
That right now is a big focus for us.”
Another effort that appeals to Coalition
members is the promotion of mixed-used
development, which is popular with both
young professionals and empty nesters.
By allowing a mix of residential, office
and commercial uses, the concept creates
vibrant communities where people can
work, live, shop and dine. It’s good for the
environment, especially since it allows the
reuse of impervious surfaces, which reduces
harmful runoff. It reduces automobile trips,
allows for the re-development of vacant
office space and creates a better community.
The city of White Plains recently
rezoned its “Platinum Mile” office corridor
area to allow for mixed-use development.
“I hate to use the word holistic because it’s
over-used,” Jones says, “but it is a more
holistic community. You develop a sense of
place.”
Lauren Amsterdam, AMSTERLAND
Nelson Barreto, Diebold
Katrine Aliha Beck, Wilson Elser
Michelle Brier, Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Lori Calandruccio, Arc of Westchester
Daniel M. Chen, Consolidated Edison of NY
Michelle Citino, DoubleTree by Hilton Tarrytown
Courtney Clark, CBRE Inc.
Christopher Dessi, Silverback Social
Tracey A. Di Brino, Carr Workplaces
Samantha Durante, Medley Media Associates
Jeanette Gisbert, The Volunteer Center of United Way
Guochun Gong, Ph.D. Regeneron
Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Sasha Guillame, Mrs. G’s Services, LLC
Matthew Holst, AIA Reckson, a division of SL Green
Jamie Imperati, Professional Women of Westchester
Jennifer Johnson, Lois Bronz Children’s Center
Nicholas Junta, Northwestern Mutual
Kurt Kannemeyer, St. Christopher’s, Inc.
Giancarlo Lanzano, DGC Capital Contracting Corp.
Thomas Madden, Town of Greenburgh
Sabrina Magid, Advanced Dentistry of Westchester
Dan Malasky, Esq., United States Tennis Association
Paul J. Marino, Esq., Marino Partners, LLC
Michael Martinelli Jr., Today Media Inc.
Barbara McRae Robinson, The New
York School for the Deaf
Justin J. Moundas, York International Agency, LLC
Richard Nightingale, Westhab, Inc.
Aaron Ondrey, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Mark Pauletti, Arctic Mechanical, Inc.
Edward Philipp, Rye YMCA
Tiffany Phipps, BioMed Realty Trust, Inc.
Michael Radosta, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
Stefano Safaei, Ares Capital Advisors
of Wedbush Securities
Sherry Saturno, Westchester Medical Center
Caitlin H. Snyder, Mercy College
Adam Stone, Examiner Media
Richard Thomas, NY AREA (Affordable
Reliable Electricity Alliance)
Franklin Vasquez, Mahopac National Bank
Peter Zimmar, Heritage Realty Services, LLC
RISING STARS CLASS OF 2012: 40 UNDER 40‘‘ ‘‘In the old days, a community banker
couldmake a decision based on his
knowledge of the person and the business,
but that’s become amuch, muchmore
risky and expensive decision.
– Timothy M. Jones, Managing Director/
Partner at the Robert Martin Company
34 | Westchester County Economic Development Guide