Page 44 - Westchester County Economic Development Guide 2013

stations that put Midtown Manhattan,
Downtown White Plains and Downtown
Stamford, Conn., within a 30-minute
express trip.) The study also noted that
because Mount Vernon is one of the most
densely populated cities in the country,
there is significant local market demand.
Mount Vernon already has an established
commercial corridor in Mount Vernon
Heights, encompassing Sandford Square
and Sandford Boulevard (6th Street).
Mount Vernon’s four major districts
– North Side, South Side, Downtown
and Mount Vernon Heights – together
constitute a 4.4-square-mile area known
for its richness of diversity. The second
most densely populated city in New York
State, Mount Vernon has the largest West
Indian and West African population
in Westchester County, and an active
Brazilian community has poured millions
of dollars into the economy with the
building of new homes and businesses.
Popular ethnic celebrations are held
throughout the year.
The city has 241 acres of parks,
playgrounds and open space either owned
by Westchester County or the city.
Mount Vernon’s chief employer is the
city school system, which consists of 16
schools where more than 700 teachers
work with some 10,000 students.
Mount Vernon Hospital, which treats
25,000 patients a year, is another top
employer. An affiliate of the Sound
Shore Health System, Mount Vernon
Hospital has been named a Gold
Performance Achievement Award-winner
by the American Heart Association
and American Stroke Association. The
115-year-old hospital is in the midst of
a revitalization that will strengthen and
expand the services that are in demand,
including both primary care and specialty
clinics, as well as its emergency room.
Port Chester
www.portchesterny.com
From its location on the Long
Island Sound, Port Chester once toiled
quietly in the shadow of more affluent
neighbors like Greenwich, Conn., one
of the wealthiest municipalities in the
nation. But the historic shipping and
trade center, also known in the mid-
20th century as the home of the Life
Savers Candy Company and other factory
operations, is moving full steam ahead
with the emergence of a retail and service
economy.
The changing face of the village, which
is part of the Town of Rye, has been
partly the result of an economic makeover
linked to a larger downtown revitalization
strategy. Supported by the New York
State Housing Trust Fund Corporation
(HTFC), business owners within a defined
area of Port Chester have been securing
matching grants for improvements
ranging from new awnings and signage
to reconstruction of building storefronts.
As a result, the historic character of the
downtown business district has been
enhanced while economic and residential
activity increases.
In 2002, Port Chester got a major
lift with the opening of a dual-level,
148,000-square-foot Costco wholesale
warehouse operation on Westchester
Avenue. As the central focus of The
Waterfront at Port Chester – a 27-acre,
Port Chester
TRIVIA:
• The six-story building that
served as a Life Savers
Candy Company factory
between 1920 and 1984
remains a prominent Port
Chester landmark, though
it has been converted into
loft-style condominium
residences.
• Celebrating its 80th birthday,
Port Chester High School was
built in 1933 on the grounds
of a former country club.
The school’s marching band
appeared in the 2007 film
Spider-Man 3.
42 | Westchester County Economic Development Guide