by Stephen Kimball
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2009
For More Information:
Stephen Kimball
607-273-0005
Tompkins County receives state grant for water and sewer planning
Tompkins County, on behalf of the Tompkins County Council of Governments, has received $82,245 from New York State to create a county-wide evaluation of water and wastewater systems. Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) led up the effort to select the consultant and apply for the grant under the New York State Shared Municipal Services Initiative (SMSI) program. While the grant award was announced in April of 2008, the contract was delayed for the additional state review due to the economic downturn. Ultimately, the grant amount was reduced somewhat as a cost-saving measure. However, there are adequate funds to complete the project. Matching local funds of over $9,000 will come from the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency.
Water and sewer infrastructure has many important roles. The study is a critical step toward achieving affordable housing and community revitalization goals of the Tompkins County Economic Development Strategy. This study will update analysis that TCAD prepared in 1994 and, going beyond that, provide concept-level planning. In the communities that have extensive water or sewer planning, the study will provide a summary of current and future planned activities. For areas of the county with less or no infrastructure planning, the study will provide an opportunity for preliminary engineering evaluation and concept-level planning. The objective is to have a single source of information that provides consistent and comparable data for:
· Existing systems including evaluation of current service gaps
· Planned systems including evaluation of future demand and potential service gaps
· Physical planning and financial analysis for expected and planned future growth
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.