Here are key Westchester County resources for minority- and women-owned businesses:

• Professional Development Center at Westchester Community College (WCCPDC)
  The WCCPDC helps area businesses meet training needs by providing customized training for management and staff. Training programs are tailored to meet the needs of each business in areas such as computer programs, supervisory skills, sales training and entrepreneurship. WCCPDC also offers a range of courses in business, management and career growth. WCCPDA also offers a 15-session workshop called the Academy for Entrepreneurial Excellence designed for business owners who want to take their business to higher levels.

Ann Rubenzahl, Assistant Dean of Continuing Education
Westchester Community College
75 Grasslands Road
Valhalla, N.Y. 10595
Tel: (914) 606-6598
E-mail: ann.rubenzahl@sunywcc.edu

• Westchester County Office of Economic Development (WCOED)
  The WCOED continually works to help businesses find the resources and hands-on expertise necessary to promote economic investment. The office offers business resources, financial assistance, as well as a wide range of related services and incentives to help businesses prosper in Westchester County.

Office of Economic Development
148 Martine Avenue, 9th Floor
White Plains, N.Y. 10601
Tel: (914) 995-2926

• Westchester Putnam Local Workforce Investment Board
  The Westchester Putnam Local Workforce Investment Board is a partnership of business people, employers and agencies working together to train and develop skilled workers. The system is designed to provide high quality services to businesses and job seekers that will lead to the development of a first-rate workforce. The Board provides employers with trained and skilled workers.

Donnovan Beckford, Director
Westchester Putnam Local Workforce Workforce Investment Board
143 Grand Street
White Plains, N.Y. 10601
Tel: (914) 995- 3707
E-mail: dpb2@westchestergov.com

• Women’s Enterprise Development Center (WEDC)
  WEDC is a micro-enterprise development program that provides women with the training, tools and resources they need to achieve economic self-sufficiency through small business development. WEDC is designated a women’s business center by the US Small Business Administration (SBA).

WEDC offers the following programs and services:

• • Entrepreneurial recruitment and assessment
  • Entrepreneurial training
  • Life skills seminars
  • Mentoring opportunities
  • Post-training seminars
  • Access to capital workshops
  • Networking opportunities

Anne Janiak, Executive Director
707 Westchester Avenue, Suite 213
White Plains, N.Y. 10604
Tel: (914) 948-6098 ext. 12
E-mail: ajaniak@westchester.org

• Westchester County Department of Transportation (WCDOT)
  WCDOT can offer a business and its employees transit assistance including tax incentives for commuting. WCDOT offers the “Commute N Save” Program which provides tax incentives for employers and employees. The “Smart Commute” Program works with employers to provide employees with transit options.

Yao Lawrence Cunningham, Program Administrator
Westchester County Department of Public Works and Transportation
100 East First St.
Mount Vernon, N.Y. 10550
Tel: (914) 813-6718
Fax: (914) 813-7766
E-mail: llc7@westchestergov.com

• Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
  PTAC offers one-on-one counseling sessions and workshops to help businesses market and bid their services and products to federal, state, and local governments. 

Elizabeth Kallen, Program Manager
Rockland Economic Development Corporation
One Blue Hill Plaza
Pearl River, N.Y. 10965
Tel: (845) 735-7040
E-mail: lizk@redc.org