Ithaca Area Economic Development

Congratulations to LeChase Construction for being named 2024 Engineering News-Record (ENR) Contractor of the Year! The firm is known for its culture, partnerships, diversified services, and active involvement in community service. Notable recent projects include the Cornell University CIS Building, @Strong National Museum of Play expansion, and United HealthServices @Wilson Medical Center modernization. A well-deserved recognition, indeed! #IAED #LeChase #2024ERNNYContractor #Award #Congratulations #NYS

On Wednesday morning, nearly 100 guests including local business leaders, community partners, and elected officials, gathered for IAED's Annual Meeting. Participants heard IAED President,Heather D. McDaniel, speak about the achievements in 2023 and the role IAED plays in fostering a sustainable economy to enhance the quality of life in TOMPKINS COUNTY through business development and job creation support. Thank you to all that attended and continue to show support. Also, thank you to Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons for hosting our event! Thank you Cathy Hart for your support and leadership and a huge thank you to your staff/team including Ryan Ann Cornish for hosting this fantastic event!

Congratulations to the Village of Groton, a recent recipient of the NY Forward Phase Two Program! Governor Kathy Hochul has announced $4.5 million has been awarded to enhance and revitalize public-private partnerships. The next steps are to convene a local planning committee and develop a strategic investment plan, which will identify local assets and opportunities that align with the Village’s vision and are poised for implementation. “With this NY Forward award, we will be able to build more, grow more, offer more, and achieve the project goals for our businesses and community,” said Groton Mayor, Chris Neville. #IAED #VillageofGroton #NYForward #Revitalization #TompkinsCounty

Last night we held an exclusive recognition event at Knickerbocker for our amazing investors to celebrate the 5-year Th!nk Tompkins initiative. Guests had the opportunity to explore behind the scenes of the facility and witness the meticulous process of crafting their high-quality bed frames and bedding support systems. Richard Polevoy, the CEO of Knickerbocker, shared insights on selecting Tompkins County as the factory location, citing the supportive business environment the area offers as a key factor. A big thank you to everyone who participated and attended! The event was a great testament to the power of collaboration and innovation, providing the perfect opportunity to celebrate and thank our investors. #IAED #ThinkTompkins #Knickerbocker #IthacaNY #TompkinsCounty #Innovation #Collaboration Thank you Jodi Lee Denman for your help to make this event happen.

Have you heard? The Grow-NY Competition is now accepting applications! The Grow-NY competition aims to cultivate a food and agriculture innovation hub in the Grow-NY area. This global competition brings in unique, high-growth businesses and immerses them in the region's thriving startup environment. Contestants present their business concepts to compete for a chance to secure up to $1 million. Winning companies must create jobs, collaborate with local industry partners, and contribute to the Upstate economy. Applications will be accepted until May 15th. Finalists will be chosen in August and will participate in mentoring sessions and business trips leading up to the ultimate Pitch Competition & Summit on November 6-7 in Ithaca. #IAED #IthacaNY #GrowNY #NYAgriculture #NYFood #EconomicDevelopment #GrowNYCompetition

At the #2024EconomicSummit, I assisted with moderating a panel discussion titled “The Intersection of Workforce & Economic Development: Why it Matters to Employers.” Participants included Amy Durfee (CenterState CEO), Kamala Keeley (Three Rivers Development Corporation), Carol Miller (Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology), and Danielle Szabo (IAED). Topic areas included an overview of the nationally recognized Industry Partnership model, sector-based training, and workforce attraction and retention, especially untapped talent. The Summit was co-hosted by Cinemapolis and Coltivare. Other panels and presentations included Ithaca’s Downtown Plan, Why #DEI Matters in #Tourism, Healthy Community, and the Future of Higher Education. Andrew Fish (CenterState CEO) provided a keynote address on preparations around the Micron announcement. Carol Miller, Danielle Szabo, Kamala Keeley

Recently Heather D. McDaniel, CEcD, AICP, EDFP, Danielle Szabo, and Kellea Bauda took a trip to the NYS Economic Development Council (NYSEDC) Conference in Albany, where they joined over 400 attendees. Together, they participated in in-depth conversations regarding the promising landscape of clean energy manufacturing in New York. The discussions focused on leveraging state incentives to develop sites, attract projects, invest in supply chain resources, and cultivate a skilled workforce. Heather has been a member of NYSEDC’s Board of Directors since 2019.

Today is the official first day of spring and we are particularly grateful for the ongoing renovation of the Stewart Park Splash Pad, which will feature a splash pad that is 50% larger than the current structure along the Cayuga Waterfront Trail. Funding support was provided by Parks and the Tompkins County Tourism Program’s Tourism Capital Grants program, which is administered by IAED. Pictured: The Friends of Steward Park (FSP) at the groundbreaking ceremony.

120 projected positions at Menlo Micro’s Lansing Facility could create $18 million in direct wages and $28 million in direct spending in Tompkins County over the next three years! We are excited to see this manufacturing growth in our community adding to our region's economic prosperity.