Economic News for Ithaca and Tompkins County
June 2021
IAED Releases Annual Report and Holds Annual Meetings
IAED tried something new this year, hosting four smaller annual meeting events that were a huge success! It was a much welcomed opportunity to showcase the customized resources we provide to each of our customers to help them succeed. Thank you so much to Monks on the Commons at the Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons, South Hill Cider, Dutch Harvest Farm, and Salt Point Brewing Co. for your incredible hospitality and to our wonderful board members and investors for your continued support. We couldn’t do what we do without you!
IAED also introduced our annual report, which highlights IAED's accomplishments in 2020. The IAED staff worked tirelessly to support businesses in our area during the pandemic. We are grateful to be part of such a resilient, committed, and caring community.
IAED Releases Tompkins County
Economic Recovery Strategy
IAED recently released an Economic Recovery Plan for Tompkins County (Press Release). IAED and stakeholder/partner agencies collectively developed the Tompkins County Strategic Economic Recovery Plan, which seeks to provide both a snapshot of the short-term actions undertaken or underway to triage the immediate impacts wrought by the pandemic and a roadmap to guide long-term planning and recovery.
This plan is intended to serve as a living, working resource to guide recovery and position Tompkins County for success in the future economy. The Strategy compliments the Tompkins County Economic Development Strategy 2.0 (2020-2024).

Stakeholders are actively seeking financial resources to implement actions identified in the plan that will support a swift and robust recovery.
IAED President Heather McDaniel discussed the plan with WHCU's Joe Salzone - Listen Here.

McDaniel also presented the plan to the Housing and Economic Development (HED) Committee of the Tompkins County Legislature and the Planning and Economic Development Committee of the Ithaca City Common Council. Read More
NYS Announces COVID-19 Pandemic
Small Business Recovery Grant Program
The New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program was created to provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations in the State of New York who have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business owners can apply for grants of up to $50,000.

Contact Chuck Schwerin (chucks@IthacaAreaED.org) at IAED with questions about the Small Business Recovery Grant Program.
On the Job Training Program for Local Businesses
Tompkins Workforce New York is re-launching an On the Job Training (OJT) program to help businesses bring on new employees and get them skilled up to be successful in their new position. Employers receive half of a new hire's salary during the training period up to a maximum of $3,000.
 
Tompkins Workforce New York staff will interview the prospective employee and the company to mutually assure there is a good fit for the position and that a training program is in place to fit the training needs.
 
This assistance is designed for businesses offering full-time positions (at least 30 hours per week) in a permanent position for occupations that are considered "in-demand."
If you are planning to hire and want to know more about OJT availability, please contact:
  • A workforce specialist at the Tompkins Workforce NY Career Center at 607-272-7570. Listen to the full greeting and leave your business name and number so that a staff member may return your call by the close of the next business day, or
  • Email Cindy Sloan, Workforce Development Specialist, at csloan@tompkins-co.org to discuss your plans for hiring
In the News
COVID-19 Updates
NYS COVID-19 Restrictions Lifted
Governor Cuomo lifted COVID-19 restrictions as 70 percent of New Yorkers aged 18 or older have received the first dose of their COVID-19 vaccination series.

The State's health guidance and New York Forward industry specific guidelines—including social gathering limits, capacity restrictions, social distancing, cleaning and disinfection, health screening, and contact information for tracing—are now optional for retail, food services, offices, gyms and fitness centers, amusement and family entertainment, hair salons, barber shops and personal care services, among other commercial settings. 

Masks are still required for unvaccinated individuals health guidelines continue to be in effect for large-scale indoor event venues, pre-K to grade 12 schools, public transit, homeless shelters, correctional facilities, nursing homes, and health care settings per CDC guidelines. Read More
NYS Disaster Emergency Ends
Governor Cuomo announced that New York will end the state disaster emergency declared on March 7, 2020 to fight COVID-19. Read More
Free Childcare to Encourage
Caregiver Vaccination
Free child care is available to parents and caregivers getting vaccinated or recovering from the vaccine. From now until July 4, parents and caregivers can SIGN UP for free child care if they need additional support while getting the COVID-19 vaccine or recovering from the vaccine.
NYS Offers Childcare Scholarships
The state will provide $25 million in child care scholarships for essential workers. As of June 23, 2021, these scholarships are the first in a series of new investments to support working families and the child care industry through the federal CARES Act. Apply here. 
Ithaca Area Economic Development | 607.273.0005 |