by Stephen Kimball
For Immediate Release
February 27, 2008
For More Information:
Contact: Stephen Kimball
607-273-0005
stephenk@tcad.org
TCAD Promotes Filiberto to Director of Economic Development Services
Tompkins County Area Development is pleased to announce that it has promoted Heather Filiberto to the newly created position of Director of Economic Development Services. In her new position, she will be responsible for managing the delivery of a variety of economic incentive programs to TCAD customers, including TCAD's expanding loan programs.
In addition to her new duties, Filiberto will continue to administer Tompkins County’s Empire Zone. Under Heather’s leadership, during its first full year, thirty-four businesses were certified to participate in the Empire Zones Program. Together, they project creating 762 new jobs and making $91 million in capital investments over the next five years. There should be a dramatic increase in the number of jobs, capital investments and corresponding state tax incentives for the 2007 tax year as a result of the increase in participating businesses from just two in 2006 to thirty-six at the end of 2007. In addition, Tompkins County’s Empire Zone received high marks from New York State’s Annual Program Performance Review.
Filiberto has also become a Certified Planner by The American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), the professional institute of the American Planning Association (APA). AICP provides recognized leadership nationwide in the certification of professional planners, ethics, professional development, planning education, and the standards of planning practice. To become a certified planner, APA members must meet certain education and experience requirements and pass a written examination. She holds a Master of Urban Planning degree from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service and has five years professional planning experience. Heather passed the written exam in November 2007.
About TCAD
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 is dedicated to building a thriving and sustainable economy that improves the quality of life in Tompkins County by fostering the growth of business and employment. While working with business, not for-profit, higher education, and public sector organizations, we fulfill our mission by assisting in the formation, retention, expansion, and attraction of target businesses. As the community's lead economic development agency, TCAD offers financial assistance, technical assistance and real estate development services. TCAD is responsible for creating and implementing the comprehensive economic development strategy for the county that provides leadership to create a supportive economic environment. In addition, TCAD manages both Tompkins County’s Industrial Development Agency (IDA) and Empire Zones Program.
About Empire Zones
The New York State Empire Zones Program stimulates economic growth through a variety of State tax incentives designed to attract new businesses and support existing businesses that expand and create more jobs. The Program offers numerous tax incentives for qualifying businesses locating or expanding within the Zone, include a sales tax exemption, and real property and business tax credits. The Tompkins County Empire Zone is primarily focused on the growth of advanced technology and manufacturing firms. It also provides benefits to support commercial revitalization in the City of Ithaca’s downtown.
|
TCAD Promotes Filiberto to Director of Economic Development Services
Tompkins County Area Development
200 East Buffalo Street, Suite 102A Ithaca, New York 14850 ( 607 ) 273 - 0005 |