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Accomplishments

Sewer & Water Study
TCAD is working with the Economic Development Collaborative, the Council of Governments, and the County to hire a consultant to prepare a County-wide sewer and water study. Adequate sewer and water infrastructure is critical to the future develop of affordable worker housing. It also contributes to revitalizing our unique commercial centers. This will update a study that TCAD had prepared in 1994 and, going beyond that, provide concept-level planning. The objective is to have a single source of consistent and comparable information on local water and sewer systems.

Tompkins County Empire Zone
2007 marked the first full year of New York State’s Empire Zone Program here in Tompkins County. By all measures, the Zone has exceeded expectations. Thirty-four businesses were Zone Certified in 2007, projecting 762 new jobs and $91 Million in capital investments over the next five years New York State rewarded our Zone by doubling administrative funding support after receiving excellent marks on our first annual performance review. The Tompkins County Empire Zone Development Plan was updated and approved. The plan outlines goals and strategies to promote business development in the Zone, identifies the types of businesses that are eligible to receive Empire Zone tax incentives, establishes minimum job creation and investment thresholds, and establishes performance review measures.

1,200 property owners/businesses were notified of the Zone designation and potential for State tax
incentives. An Empire Zone Workshop was held as well as a number of smaller presentations targeted at specific industries and locations. The Capital Credits Program was established. It offers a 25% tax credit to equity investors in Zone certified businesses, and individuals and corporations donating $1,000 or more to community development projects undertaken by non-profits located in the Zone.

Tourism Capital Grants
TCAD administers the County’s Tourism Capital Grants program. During 2007, the Finger Lakes Wine Center was awarded $160,000 to create the new center that will offer wine tasting, educational exhibits, and tours of the wine country. TCAD also continued to work with the State Theatre on a multi-year award.

Warren Road Sewer Project
TCAD brought together a group of stakeholders to facilitate the extension of a sewer line to serve businesses in the Warren Road Business Park. The Park, located in the Tompkins County Empire Zone, is currently occupied by seven businesses, primarily technology-based, that together employ approximately 300 people. The sewer line is critical to support existing business expansion and attract additional development on a number of vacant parcels. The district boundaries should be finalized in 2008 and the project completed in early 2009.

Workforce Strategy
During 2007, TCAD initiated the Tompkins County Workforce Strategy process in partnership with the Workforce Investment Board. Chmura Economics & Analytics was engaged to prepare a labor market analysis. The study was completed in April 2008, and will serve as a springboard for a strategic planning process.

Tompkins County Area Development
200 East Buffalo Street, Suite 102A
Ithaca, New York 14850
( 607 ) 273 - 0005