February 2024

ALBANY—In separate announcements on Feb. 15, New York announced awards of more than $166 million in grants to 187 water quality projects throughout the state. In addition, the Environmental Facilities Corporation Board of Directors had approved over $49 million in direct financial assistance for water infrastructure improvement projects across New York State.

WASHINGTON — The Biden-Harris Administration on Feb. 7 finalized a significantly stronger air quality standard that officials say will better protect America’s families, workers, and communities from the dangerous and costly health effects of fine particle pollution, also known as soot.

ELMSFORD, NY—Teamsters Local 456 has created an on-the-job training program that enables a CDL-licensed driver/trainee to ride along in construction vehicles with an experienced driver/employee of signatory/CIC-member companies to develop the knowledge and skill to safely and effectively operate equipment used in construction.

WHITE PLAINS—The $1.8-billion expansion of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has once again put economic development activity incentivized by the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency in the billions of dollars.

ALBANY—Local government sales tax collections in New York State, fueled by growth in New York City sales taxes, totaled $23 billion in calendar year 2023, up 4.2%, or $919 million, from 2022, according to a report released Feb. 5 by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

WHITE PLAINS—A panel of real estate brokers and developers offered a candid and unvarnished assessment of Westchester County’s multifamily, industrial, medical and office markets heading into 2024.

ALBANY—In testimony provided at the New York State Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the 2024 Executive Budget on Transportation earlier this month, Putnam County Executive Kevin Byrne advocated to restore a massive $60-million cut to the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement (CHIPS) program.

NEW YORK—The Real Estate Board of New York’s recently released New Building Construction Pipeline Report for the fourth quarter of 2023 states that New York City is facing a worsening shortage of rental housing.

Two years ago this month, we fulfilled an order by New York State Department of State (NYSDOS) to assume all functions and responsibilities of the Spring Valley Building Department, launching our Office of Buildings and Codes (OBC).

In our interconnected world, where the global economy relies heavily on digital infrastructure, the specter of cyber attacks looms large. Federal regulators often have said that the biggest risk to the U.S. economy is a cyber-attack.