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Greenburgh Hosts First Roundtable For Local Business Networking

*This story has been updated GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- More than a dozen town business owners swapped cards and traded email addresses, accounting tips and other ideas on Thursday night at the first Greenburgh Business Roundtable.

Bob Barber and Michael McGown of Bartlett Tree Experts' Elmsford branch came to the meeting network and learn about energy savings

Bob Barber and Michael McGown of Bartlett Tree Experts' Elmsford branch came to the meeting network and learn about energy savings

Photo Credit: Dina Grace Zoe Sciortino
The Business Council of Westchester’s President Dr. Marsha Gordon led the kickoff meeting

The Business Council of Westchester’s President Dr. Marsha Gordon led the kickoff meeting

Photo Credit: Dina Grace Zoe Sciortino
Town Supervisor Paul Feiner addresses the roundtable.

Town Supervisor Paul Feiner addresses the roundtable.

Photo Credit: Dina Grace Zoe Sciortino

The Town of Greenburgh, which has never had its own Chamber of Commerce, sponsored the event and invited The Business Council of Westchester’s President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Marsha Gordon to lead the kickoff meeting.

“It’s very meaningful for me,” said Gordon, of hosting the event in the town where she lives

Gordon said she hoped the business roundtable would serve as a forum where local business owners could periodically come together and “brainstorm on how to do business better” in town.

“We really want businesses in town to feel like they’re welcome and appreciated,” said Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.

Resident Wendy Patten, who has owned a bookkeeping and finance company in Greenburgh called Wendy Corp. for the last two years, said she wanted to attend the event “to meet with more business owners, and find out more about the business community in the area.”

Feiner asked for participants for their honest feedback on their experiences as local business owner. One audience member noted how Greenburgh made it easy to conduct business, such as getting permits. Another noted how traffic on Central Avenue made things difficult for his firm.

Feiner said that suggestions and concerns brought up at the event would be incorporated into the Greenburgh Comprehensive Plan, and made suggestions on how to get fewer cars on the road and encouraged anyone with concerns to contact him at any time.

He also mentioned current measures the town board is taking to encourage business in Greenburgh, such as the consideration of a law that would allow more competition between car dealerships making Central Avenue “more of a destination area for those seeking to purchase or lease a car."

“When we say we want to help there’s nothing in it for us personally,” said Feiner. “You’re going to get service whether you are a Democrat, a Republican and Independent, whether you like us or hate us.”

Town Planning Commissioner Garrett Duquesne stressed the importance of keeping Greenburgh unique, but competitive with surrounding communities like White Plains and Yonkers.

Representatives from Energize NY Finance also spoke at the meeting about programs for Westchester commerical property owners that save money on energy costs by awarding financing for energy efficiency improvements and clean energy programs.

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