Economic News for Ithaca and Tompkins County
March 2022
Annual Economic Summit
Thursday, March 24
9:00AM-12:00PM (Virtual)

The Annual Economic Summit, hosted by Ithaca Area Economic Development, Tompkins Chamber, and Cornell University, provides a snapshot of the local economy, highlighting recent projects and accomplishments of our business community, and providing perspective from business leaders about the state of our economy.

This year will be an engaging virtual event where attendees participate in each of three breakout sessions on workforce development, housing, and tourism & downtown recovery.
IAED is Hiring!
IAED is currently seeking a Workforce Development Director to address the workforce needs of key sector businesses within Ithaca and Tompkins County. This novel position is an exciting opportunity to design and implement new initiatives to improve career awareness and create pathways and training programs to support area employers. While the Workforce Development Director will focus initially in the manufacturing sector, where IAED is engaged in a pilot program, it is expected the candidate will expand into the healthcare, high tech, and construction trades in the future.

For more information click here.
Library Place
After two years of Covid-related delays, the Library Place mixed-use development resumed construction! The Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency, for which IAED serves as administrative agent, originally delivered an incentive package, and later approved a timeline adjustment, so long as steel was in place by mid-2022. Residents are expected to start moving into the senior housing units in spring 2023.

Stay tuned for updates!
Rosie App Spotlight
2022 Grow-NY Competition Announced
The Grow-NY team will begin accepting applications for Year 4 of the Food & Agriculture Competition in April. Applications from high-growth food and agriculture startups from across the globe are encouraged to pitch their business ideas for a chance to win up to $1 million. Grow-NY is funded by Empire State Development and administered by Cornell University.

Learn more here.
NYSEG Grants Available to Business Customers Impacted by Covid-19
Designed to help businesses whose operations were challenged by the effects of Covid-19, New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) is offering grants up to $50,000 through the Covid-19 Economic Relief Program. Eligible businesses can apply for grant assistance to help maintain operations and retain jobs.

For more information, visit:
IAED Board Member of the Month
IAED is fortunate to have a diversified board of distinguished community members.

Learn about longtime board member, Mary Opperman, Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Cornell University, in the Q&A below:

Q. How long have you been involved with IAED?
A. I came onto the board in 2010.

Q. What is your role as a Board member?
A. I represent Cornell and currently serve on the Executive Committee, and chair the HR Committee.

Q. What made you get involved with IAED?
A. I believe in our community and want to support the growth of the economy and the opportunities that creates.

Q. Where do you see IAED going in the next year?
A. Our area has such a bright future – we live in a lovely, safe part of the country and I believe that we will be even more of a destination post-pandemic as people prioritize quality of life.

Q. What is your favorite thing about Tompkins County?
A. The waterfalls, the parks, the amazing food, the festivals, the wine/spirit trails – so much!
Ithaca Area Economic Development | 607.273.0005 |