TCAD's President, Heather McDaniel, has been appointed to the Southern Tier Regional Economic Development Council (REDC), by Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. The Council promotes bottom-up, community-driven economic development in the region, helping to create economic growth and new job opportunities.

The Live in Ithaca initiative launched on March 18th with the goal of helping local employers recruit top candidates for open positions. The initiative includes a "comprehensive community guide website ( www.liveinithaca.org), an integrated marketing campaign, and a new print relocation guide magazine, and tells the story of why Tompkins County is a great choice for careers, community, and quality of life."

The Live in Ithaca website is for local residents, jobseekers, and those new to the area and includes information on over 200 local employers and over 500 community resources and quality of life assets.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on March 1st for the 18 megawatt Cascadilla Community Solar Farm project located on Cornell University owned land in the Town of Dryden. TCAD's President, Heather McDaniel, attended the groundbreaking as a representative of the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), which provided a tax incentive for the project.

The project is comprised of approximately 75,000 solar panels and will generate enough renewable energy to power approximately 3,000 residential homes. According to an article in the Cornell Chronicle, "to preserve the soil under the solar panels, feed grasses and pollinator-friendly plants will be grown," and "a flock of sheep – ruminant mowers – may be used to keep the grasses from growing too tall." Read More