The company in its first quarter 2001 Market Trends report states that the county's office availability rate was up a little more than one percentage point from the end of the year to 15.4%. While the rate went up in the past three months, it should be noted that it was far below the 18.2% rate posted for the first quarter of last year.

Grubb & Ellis officials state that despite some trouble in the technology industry, Westchester County is seeing growth in this sector. They note that while some start-ups have fallen by the wayside, others are flourishing in the county.

"Technology firms will remain a strong economic force in the county as businesses gravitate toward the highly skilled work force and concentration of technology service providers," says Kim Mowers, senior vice president of Grubb & Ellis' Stamford office, which covers Westchester County.