New Task Force Launched to Guide Yorktown’s Recovery

04/14/20 - Local business leaders and town officials have formed a new task force to prepare Yorktown for an economic recovery after the coronavirus downturn.

Reboot Yorktown includes members of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce, the Yorktown Small Business Association, Westchester County Legislator Vedat Gashi and Yorktown Planning Board Chairman Richard Fon, among others. The task force will focus on two short- and long-term goals.

The first and more immediate task is guiding local commerce out of the severe economic downturn caused by the social distancing measures used to fight the coronavirus, which has caused many businesses to temporarily close. Secondly, Reboot Yorktown’s members will examine and repurpose local rules and regulations in order to attract new commerce, housing and investment in the coming decade.

“We must ensure that we’re supporting our Main Street businesses—and when the time comes—we’re ready to hit the ground running,” said Supervisor Matt Slater. “At the same time, we must analyze our community’s development rules so that vacant properties don’t languish for years. This self-analysis means that we might have to consider new property uses and commercial activities that are currently not allowed in our community.”

“The chamber has worked diligently in supporting our local businesses from the onset of this economic downtown. I am confident that this too will pass,” said chamber president Sergio Esposito. “The chamber has already begun strategizing on economic initiatives that will be shared in a collaborative manner to both facilitate and accelerate the ‘up-turn’ for the entire Yorktown business sector at the moment the time arises.”

“It is imperative for us to identify all of our local, small, independent businesses who are struggling during these trying times. We need to hear directly from you, what issues you are faced with, and what your priorities are. This will help us to formulate plans and strategies which when executed will help to support you now and significantly improve the outcomes economically post-lockdown,” said Bob Giordano, president of the YSBA.

Reboot Yorktown held its first meeting on March 25 and subsequent meetings will be held on a tele-conferencing platform. Residents who want to be involved should contact Supervisor Slater, the chamber or the YSBA.

Contact:
Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater, 914-962-5722 x201
Photo caption: Yorktown Green and the Roma Building in Yorktown.