Community ProfileAs the intellectual and cultural hub of the upstate New York region, Tompkins County enjoys one of the most robust economies in the northeast. Education and medical/health services anchor the Tompkins County economy, bringing vitality and stability to the local area [see Major Employers]. Our three local institutions of higher education-Cornell, Ithaca College, and Tompkins-Cortland Community College-provide access to a highly-skilled workforce, and the area is a net importer of skilled and semiskilled workers from surrounding counties.
Technology-related firms are thriving, and the sector shows great potential for further growth in such areas as biotechnology, nanofabrication and electronics. As home to one of the finest research universities in the world, Ithaca is positioned to capitalize on Cornell discoveries and inventions via small business spin-offs. In partnership with the Cornell Center for Technology, Enterprise and Commercialization (CCTEC), TCAD is seeking to develop and strengthen key industry clusters through the technology transfer agreements and the licensing of intellectual property.
Businesses seeking to expand or locate in the Ithaca area will encounter a discerning community that is willing to grant incentives to sound ventures. The area's intellectual capital and engaged citizenry has fostered a community that is welcoming to alternative enterprise and new cutting edge ventures. TCAD will assist you in establishing operations, providing advice and counsel on financing, real estate, employment, and linking you to the local community, the region, and the world.
