Accelerating business, filling space, and planning for the future

Two years ago, the Westchester County Association created the Blueprint for Westchester so that we might chart a new course and re-establish Westchester County as a highly functional, fully integrated, profitable commercial center. One of the cornerstones of The Blueprint is our Blueprint Accelerator Network. For decades, accelerators have sped the growth of early-stage companies in entrepreneurial hotspots throughout the country. Happily, we're creating such a hotspot here, and establishing the foundation of a true economic engine and job creator in Westchester through our Accelerator. Just last month, we announced the first company to make it through the Accelerator's sophisticated vetting process. PlanGuru, a young, dynamic software company that produces budgeting/forecasting/financial planning software for businesses and non-profits, will now reap the benefits. For the next year, PlanGuru will receive at no cost 1,635 s/f of office space donated by Reckson, a division of SL Green, as well as pro bono marketing services courtesy of Harrison Edwards Inc. and search engine optimization services from Search Smart Marketing. In addition, PlanGuru will receive legal services from Bleakley Platt, accounting services from other partners in the Network, and mentoring from the county's corporate executives. Besides making available over $275 million in debt financing and various services and space, the Accelerator provides "graduates" access to the rich intellectual capital of Westchester's colleges and universities. We do require that the companies we nurture agree to remain in the county. This is a win-win not only for young promising companies, but it also helps to fill some of the five million square feet of vacant office space and reverse the amount of negative absorption that has plagued this county for a decade. PlanGuru is a growing firm that already boasts a base of over 1,200 customers—from young entrepreneurial startups to the University of Singapore which budgets for hundreds of cost centers. With over 12.4 million small to medium sized businesses and nonprofits in the United States alone, the potential is tremendous. Now that it's time to scale the business, the Accelerator will take the young company to the next level on a much more aggressive route. The Blueprint for Westchester is funded entirely by the private sector. A governance committee of experienced business leaders oversees its Accelerator. Since we launched the Blueprint, over one million s/f of available space has been taken off the market as we've helped the real estate sector to rethink how existing space can be use - specifically for repurposing and "placemaking." The object is to prepare for the new 21st Century economy, attract business growth and development, and create places where young professionals can "Work. Live. Play." For further information about or to apply to the Blueprint Accelerator Network, please visit www.blueprintforwestchester.com. Marissa Brett is the executive director, economic development, at Westchester County Association, White Plains, N.Y.