Tompkins County Area Development, Inc. (TCAD) is a private, not-for-profit
organization founded in 1964 that provides the Ithaca area with innovative
services to strengthen the economy.
TCAD's primary mission is to create quality private sector jobs and
strengthen the local tax base. TCAD’s focus is on companies that
sell products or services to customers outside of Tompkins County and
that typically pay workers the highest wages, provide the best benefits
and offer the most opportunity for advancement. Our scope is not limited
to traditional manufacturers however; we assist companies and entrepreneurs
in fields as diverse as software development, agri-business, printing
and publishing. Recognizing the unique and dynamic nature of our local
economy and the importance of encouraging diversity, TCAD assists cottage
industries, high-tech firms and other manufacturers with a variety of
funding opportunities and incentives, site selection assistance and
technical resources and referrals.
TCAD facilitates cooperation between business and government creating
a unique public-private partnership that supports regional economic
growth. In 1999, TCAD completed its creation of the award-winning Economic
Development Strategy, an effort of more than one hundred community,
education, government, and business leaders.
TCAD also devotes substantial time to initiatives that help make the
Ithaca area a good place to work and live. The Workforce Development
Board, Airport Service Task Force and Cayuga Venture Fund are examples
of such initiatives that were, in part, created by TCAD to address issues
and concerns by local businesses.
As a private, not for profit organization, TCAD relies on the investments
of those who recognize the impact of TCAD’s role in strengthening
and stabilizing the local economy. Our members represent virtually every
sector: large and small local manufacturers, commercial enterprises,
area professionals, educational and medical institutions, labor groups
and municipalities.
At TCAD we help businesses grow and entrepreneurs succeed!
