MD-Based Firm Mulls HQ Move to Westchester

Representatives of the firm went before the Westchester County Industrial Development Agency Thursday morning for incentives related to its potential lease of approximately 44,000 sf of office space at 44 S. Broadway, also known as the Westchester One office building. According to paperwork filed with the Westchester County IDA, the company is also considering locations in its current home state of Maryland as well as New Jersey. Shelly Shaffer, VP of corporate purchasing and facilities management for APS Healthcare, did not comment on the specifics of the move or the reasons behind its possible relocation.

Michael Huber, associate director, location incentives group valuation services for Cushman & Wakefield of New Jersey, also had little to say about the relocation study except to say that a decision will likely be made in the second quarter with a possible move-in by the third quarter of this year. If the firm pulls the trigger on the White Plains move it will be taking over one floor of the 44 S. Broadway building that was formerly occupied by Ameriquest Mortgage. Huber says that any lease deal would be on a direct basis with building owner Beacon Capital. However, he stresses, "we are still in the decision phase."

Huber, who also attended the IDA session represented APS Healthcare, says that the company is attracted to White Plains due to its available educated workforce as well as its location to its "potential clients and partners." The Westchester County IDA approved a preliminary resolution at the session granting APS Healthcare a minimal sales tax exemption estimated at approximately $80,000. Huber confirms that APS Healthcare is in discussions with Empire State Development Corp. in connection with state incentives the company might be awarded if it decides to change its corporate address to White Plains. According to APS Healthcare's application with the IDA, the firm expects to have a workforce of approximately 200 with an annual payroll of $18.2 million.

APS Healthcare has offices in 20 states and Puerto Rico and offers customized integrated healthcare solutions across two major product lines--care management and behavioral healthcare services. The company, which was founded in 1992, boasts covering more than 20 million members and has 1,300 employees companywide.