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PURCHASE, N.Y. Several local groups are coming together to try to transform Westchester County into a hotspot for young professionals to live and work.
The Westchester County Association Young Professionals Group will lead a presentation Tuesday at the PepsiCo World Headquarters in Purchase called Work. Live. Play. Westchester! detailing their plans for the community.
Young professionals want competitively priced housing, exciting communities, varied entertainment options, culture and great restaurants, said Marissa Brett, executive director of economic development for the WCA, in a news release.
This event will help the business, real estate, and civic communities understand how they can take a leadership role in transforming Westchester to address these needs and jump-start economic vitality.
WCA is teaming up with The BLUEPRINT for Westchester initiative and Project for Public Spaces (pps.org) on the plan, which focuses on designing communities that are more attractive to a young diverse workforce.
Work. Live. Play. WESTCHESTER! will identify solutions and an action plan for the countys civic areas, corporate campuses, transportation hubs, said the release.
The reason for the push is because Westchester is losing many of its young professionals to the diverse culture and communities of New York City, said Brendan Meyer, chairman of the WCA Young Professionals Group, in the release.
The result is a brain drain out of the county, creating a dearth of young talent, so important to companies seeking a location thats brimming with a dynamic, local talent pool.
Brett said that Westchester has tremendous assets in commercial inventory as the groups look to plan the neighborhoods and amenities of the future.
With the help of WCA members and municipal officials, dormant office parks can become modern housing options for young professionals or thriving entertainment complexes, Brett said. Repurposing certain areas would also help invigorate the countys economy. We see it as a win-win for everyone in Westchester.
The groups will rely on placemaking, which is a proven approach to the planning, design, and management of public spaces that has successfully transformed over 2,500 communities in all 50 U.S. states and 40 countries, said the release.
You must pre-register for the July 31 event, which will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and costs $50 per person ($40 for WCA members). To register, visit the WCA website before July 30. To register after July 30, contact Laura Montopoli at lmontopoli@westchester.org or 914-948-6444.
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