Business Briefs, May 2006

May 2006

	Feature Story: Nokia Opens U.S. Headquarters for its Enterprise Solutions

	Economic Focus: Westchester Economic Outlook Remains Solid

	Business Retention: IDA Moves to Keep RCS in White Plains

	Special Features: Businesses Required to Secure Wireless Networks Pandemic Influenza Seminar Planned for June 19 The Empire Games – An Opportunity for Westchester

	International Trade: Pace Joins County in Receiving International Trade Award

	Resources for Business: Sign Up for Emergency Alerts


Nokia’s EVP/General Manager for Enterprise Solutions Mary McDowell thanked everyone at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the warm welcome to Westchester.

	Feature Story: Nokia Opens U.S. Headquarters for its Enterprise Solutions An anonymous e-mail to Westchester County’s Economic Development Office in 2003 ended up a relocation success story on May 15, 2006. Nokia, the Finnish world leader in mobile communications, officially opened the U.S. headquarters for its CFO and Enterprise Solutions/Multimedia businesses at a refurbished 102,000-square-foot building on 102 Corporate Park Drive in Harrison. Nokia’s original plans to lease space for 50 employees changed after meetings with Westchester County Executive Andy Spano, Economic Development Director Sal Carrera and CIO Norman Jacknis. The County’s IDA and NYS Empire State Development teamed up to offer attractive financial incentives. Nokia currently employs 140 people at the location and plans to grow to 300.

	Economic Focus: Westchester Economic Outlook Remains Solid A strengthening regional economy continues in the Lower Hudson Valley. Westchester County’s job sector remained solid with April 2006 unemployment figures coming in at 3.9%, up slightly from last year’s 3.8%. The commercial real estate market continued to be robust, despite some recent space give-backs. Current reports indicate that the county’s overall office vacancy rate ranges from 14.8% to 15.3%, close to last year’s marks, and will likely be lower at year’s end. Regional brokers predict that space availability in downtown White Plains will tighten and the office vacancy rate, currently estimated between 13.3% and 14.4%, will dip into the single digits. The Westchester market continues to be positively affected by the refurbishing and upgrading of office stock.

	Business Retention: IDA Moves to Keep RCS in White Plains Westchester County’s Industrial Development Agency has offered sales tax exemptions to help the world’s largest provider of broadcast software move to larger quarters. RCS Inc., formerly Radio Computing Services, employs 100 people in White Plains - half of them software developers – and another 300 worldwide. The company hopes to move from Water Street to Hamilton Avenue and increase the local workforce.

	Special Feature: Businesses Required to Secure Wireless Networks Groundbreaking legislation now requires local businesses to secure their wireless networks to protect their customers against identity theft and other computer fraud. The bill signed April 20 by County Executive Andy Spano mandates businesses that offer public Internet access and/or maintain personal information on a wireless network to take “minimum security measures.” The law, which appears to be the first of its kind, applies to all commercial businesses that collect personal customer information on a wireless network. Those offering public Internet access must also post a sign advising customers to install security measures on their own computers. The law will go into effect in mid-October, 2006. The County has also published a new brochure and website (www.westchestergov.com/idtheft) that gives tips for securing computers.

	Special Feature: Pandemic Influenza Seminar Planned for June 19 Westchester County is hosting a half-day seminar to discuss planning for the possibility of a pandemic influenza outbreak and what businesses, schools, first responders, and local health and human services organizations can do to better prepare. This free program (open only to the organizations listed above) will take place on Monday, June 19 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Westchester County Center in White Plains. Attendees will learn about pandemic and avian flu and get an update on federal, state, county and local preparedness planning. Pre-registration is required. To register, please visit https://www.westchestergov.com/seminar.

	Special Feature: The Empire Games – An Opportunity for Westchester The 30th annual NYS Empire Games, the nation’s largest amateur sports event, is coming to Westchester in July, 2007. To get ready, the county recently approved $7.6 million in improvements for county-owned properties and recreational facilities. The Games represent an opportunity for all Westchester businesses. With more than 6,000 amateur athletes and 15,000 family members and friends frequenting our colleges, hotels, restaurants and attractions, economic impact is estimated at $15-20 million. Sponsorship opportunities abound as local and New York media coverage is virtually guaranteed – at everything from opening ceremonies at Kensico Dam Plaza to more than 30 competitions county-wide. For information on sponsorships, call (914) 864-7091.

	International Trade: Pace Joins County in Receiving International Trade Award Pace University and Westchester County received an “International Trade Partner of the Year Award” at the 11th annual Averell Harriman Awards May 23 for their joint success in getting Pace certified by the Chinese government to offer college degrees in China. Only 32 institutions in the Northeastern U.S. are certified and Pace is the first in Westchester. County Executive Andy Spano also was recognized for his leadership in cultivating international business relationships in other parts of the world, including Italy and Ireland.

	Resources for Business: Sign Up for Emergency Alerts: Westchester County wants to be able to contact local businesses in case of a major emergency, such as a hurricane, flood or even a terrorist event. Companies that sign up to be part of the emergency contact database can be notified, time permitting, via email and/or text messages to mobile devices. Sign up by going to www.westchestergov.com and clicking on the emergency banner at the top of the page. Your information will be kept confidential and would ONLY be used in a major emergency.

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©Copyright 2006 Westchester County Office of Economic Development. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.