THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR | 2,905,611 VISITORS VISIT 8,324,077 TIMES 3 TIMES EVERY DAY IN ONE YEAR. HIGHEST ACTIVITY IN WPCNR HISTORY.White PlainsCitizeNetReporter lifted its worldwide visits from unique visitors to wpcnr.com to 8,324,077,a 1,306,419 increase in visits in one year from 7,017,658 visits to the site last year which covers White Plains and Westchester County. The 8,324,077 visits were made by 2,005,611 unique visitors who visited wpcnr an average of 3 visits a day. ON JULY 20- -2026 visitors have accessed wpcnr and made 3,072 visits an average of 1.6 visits. In the last week 33,495 individual vistors made 54,458 visits, averaging 1.6 visits. In the last month, 152,940 visitors recorded 229,338 visits (1.5 visits)

WP Home sales down. Banks Delay Closings to Appraise Hurricane Damage

Posted on September 15, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. September 15, 2011 UPDATED 5:45 P.M.E.D.T.:

White Plains realtor Mike Graessle of Better Homes and Gardens-Rand Realty, went over August housing activity for White Plains with WPCNR today, and though sales were down 25% August to August, he is hopeful that the flurry of closings he has had recently (4 in one week) are indications the lively spring market, with the closings of those contracts now taking place will show an encouraging third quarter when the numbers are released in October.

Graessle warned persons now in closing procedures that they possibly face their banks requiring new appraisals of their homes prior to closing to assure the homes did not sustain damage from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. He said he has had closings held up because of this requirement.

He said, “our (White Plains) tax structure makes our homes very attractive, no question.”

A total of 154 homes closed in White Plains the last 12 months, compared to 203 closing in 2010 over the same time period, down 24.1%. Graessle attributed the decline to the expiration of the federal tax credit for first time home buyers in effect in the spring of 2010 that spurred sales.

In the two and a half months from July 1, 2011 until today, 39 White Plains homes sold, down from 58 last year (a decline of 32.8%). The average selling price of a WP home in July and August was $634,015, the median selling price, $599,000 (off 6.6% from last year’s $630,000.) The WP homeowner the last three months sold their home for 3.8% less than what they put it on the market.

The average sale price the last 12 months is $621,567 from August 2010-August, 2011; compared to $628,738. in 2009-10. The median price is $560,000, down 2.6% from $575,000.

The White Plains homeowner can expect to wait 171 days to sell their house (an average 6 months), compared to 165 days on the market last year. Total listings are down to 301, from 361 a year ago. Currently there are 118 homes on the market in White Plains, Graessle said.

The White Plains home usually sells for 4.7% below its original listing price, Graessle volunteered.

Countywide, sales are doing better, home sales down 8.5%, 3,869 compared to 4,228 a year ago. The average sale price countywide is $822,889, up 7/10 of 1% ; median price, $617,000,about the same as last year.

Graessle said that banks are requiring 20% cash towards any mortgage, and are “vetting” possible mortgagees with far more scrutiny than the past.

County Sales Tax $$ Lumber Along at a 2% Growth Pace

Posted on September 15, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR QUILL & EYESHADE. From the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance. September 15, 2011:

The State reported that Westchester County Sales Tax Collections from the beginning of the fiscal year in January were slightly ahead after seventh months, at $292,547,552 through August, $5,861,023 ahead of last August pace. This works out to a 2% growth in sales tax over the year as the county prepares to go into its budget season.

Sales figures for White Plains were not immediately available today from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance.

Slight Employment Slowdown in August in Region

Posted on September 15, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR THE LABOR NEWS. From Johny Nelson, New York State Department of Labor. September 15, 2011:

In August, the region’s private sector employment growth slowed down a bit in comparison to last month’s.

From August 2010 to August 2011, private sector job count grew a modest 0.6 percent, which pales in comparison to the 1.3 percent over the year gain recorded in July, but was nonetheless better than the 0.2 percent posted over the same period in 2010. Continued downward spiral of jobs in the public (Government) sector (-4,100) remains a concern.

Hudson Valley Region:

Private sector employment in the Hudson Valley Region increased 4,100 or 0.6 percent, to 729,800 for the 12-month period ending August 2011.

Employment gains were recorded in educational and health services (+3,500), leisure and hospitality (+2,700), trade, transportation and utilities (+1,100), professional and business services (+900), and other services (+500).

Job losses were centered in the following industries: information (-2,600), and natural resources, mining and construction (-1,900). The Government sector shed 4,100 jobs over the year.

In White Plains, numbers for August are not posted yet on the Department of Labor statistics site. At the end of July the number of unemployed in White Plains was 1,800 out of a labor force of 31,000. For the last six months, White Plains has gone from 6.8% unemployed in January to 5.9% in July.

OrthoNet will Create 150 New WP Jobs in Exchange for Tax Credits

Posted on September 15, 2011 by John Bailey

WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the office of Assemblyman Robert Castelli September 15, 2011:

Robert Castelli joined Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Empire State Development (ESD) President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams and Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino in announcing that OrthoNet of White Plains is launching a $4.5 million expansion project which will create over 150 new jobs in Westchester. OrthoNet Holdings is a national leader in orthopedic specialty benefit management.

“I am thrilled at the decision by OrthoNet to expand their operations here in White Plains,” Castelli said. “This $4.5 million dollar project will create more than 150 new jobs, and is an excellent example of how government and industry is working together to restore the business-friendly environment of the Empire State.”

“The expansion of OrthoNet demonstrates our commitment to attracting private sector investment and stimulating job growth in New York,” Governor Cuomo said. “I am proud to have worked with OrthoNet and our local partners to ensure New York jobs remain in the hands of New Yorkers.”

OrthoNet Holdings, Inc., a national leader in orthopedic specialty benefit management, and will invest up to $4.5 million to expand its national headquarters in White Plains, retaining 350 jobs and creating a projected 155 new jobs to boost the Hudson Valley economy.

Supported by an incentive package including up to $3 million in Excelsior Tax Credits from ESD and $31,000 in sales tax exemptions from the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency (WIDA), OrthoNet will be able to significantly expand its presence as a key economic and employment resource for the local community, while meeting its mission of providing services that promote high-quality, cost effective health care.

“We are excited about keeping and expanding our business in Westchester,” said OrthoNet’s President and CEO Dr. Roger Shedlin. “This means our excellent local workforce will not face relocation or disruption. The support from ESD and WIDA will help enable our continued growth, and job creation, here in New York.”

Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino said, “From day one I have made economic growth a cornerstone of my administration. Attracting and retaining business in Westchester is how to put people to work and strengthen the economy. Partnering with OrthoNet not only maintained jobs but created new ones. I would also like to thank Empire State Development (ESD) for collaborating with my IDA team to make this possible.”

OrthoNet is the nation’s largest provider of musculoskeletal benefit management services. For over sixteen years the Company has called Westchester home, successfully growing a business that works with most major health plans, providing a wide array of programs related to orthopedics, rehabilitation and related clinical services throughout the United States and its Territories. These initiatives create efficiencies that keep treatments affordable, while promoting improved clinical outcomes and greater patient access to the most appropriate care, the company says.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, “As OrthoNet grows so will employment opportunities for Hudson Valley residents. Over the next five years, their aggressive agenda for corporate expansion has the potential for significant job creation and economic activity to support the local community. I want to thank our local partners, including Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and his strong team for their outstanding efforts in helping keep these jobs in the Hudson Valley.”

“I applaud OrthoNet for their decision and thank Governor Cuomo and County Executive Astorino for their proactive work on this issue,” Castelli said. “Our office remains committed to creating jobs by pursuing pro-business policies with both the Governor and our County Executive.”

This morning, Castelli met with the Governor’s Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council at SUNY Purchase, where he continued to advocate for job creation by adopting a pro-business approach to governing.