Economy
Local News: Ithaca Common Council approves pay deal with Cornell
– Ithaca Common Council approves payment agreement with Cornell University – The Ithaca Common Council voted 9 to 1 on Wednesday night to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cornell University. Cornell has tax-exempt status. The MOU sets out what the Ivy League university will pay the city in place of property taxes. The…
Read MoreLocal News: Ithaca Common Council to vote on Cornell MOU tonight
The Ithaca Common Council is set to vote on a negotiated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Cornell University in a special meeting tonight. I’ll have a report on the results of the vote tomorrow morning. This is a brief recap of what’s at stake. Cornell has tax-exempt status so it doesn’t have to pay property…
Read MoreLocal News: October 10, 2023
– Some Ithaca first responders issue statement opposing city’s new homeless encampment policy – Over 60 Ithaca police and emergency responders have signed a letter critical of the city’s new homeless encampment policy. The policy creates a “Green Zone” where camping is legal and services like toilets, garbage collection, and phone charging stations will be…
Read More2021 Sales Tax Improves in Tompkins and Schuyler Counties
(Mike Petrucci / Unsplash) ITHACA, NY — Across New York State, 2021 local government sales tax revenue is up by 21 percent on average. That’s compared to sales tax revenue generated between January and July of 2020. Tompkins and Schuyler Counties are a bit above that 21 percent state average. Tompkins County has seen a…
Read MoreConverting CO2 to Jet Fuel, Ithaca Area Economic Development Invests in Green Tech Startup
Dimensional Energy’s solar-to-fuels reactor in Gillette, Wyoming (Dimensional Energy) ITHACA, NY — Ithaca Area Economic Development, or IAED, is investing in the startup company, Dimensional Energy. They aim to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into jet fuel through what’s known as “artificial photosynthesis.” Artificial photosynthesis aims to do what plants and bacteria have been doing for…
Read MoreOffices Remain Vacant as Tompkins County Economy Recovers from COVID
Empty Office Space (Sergei Wing / Unsplash) ITHACA, NY — The Tompkins County Legislature heard a presentation on the county’s economic recovery from COVID at their July 6th meeting. It came from Heather McDaniels, president of Ithaca Area Economic Development. McDaniels identified several areas that would require additional support to recover from the effects of the…
Read MoreTompkins Workforce NY May Help Pay for Your Job Training
Welding (Unsplash) TOMPKINS COUNTY, NY — Tompkins Workforce NY is paying people to get training for in demand jobs. In this program, a person can receive up to $5000 dollars from Tompkins Workforce NY. Up to $3000 is available for tuition, and up to $2000 for costs like transportation and books. There is a list…
Read MoreNew York Outdoor Seating Extension is Just a Silver Lining for Restaurants
People Outside of Viva Taqueria & Cantina on Aurora Street in Ithaca (Jimmy Jordan/WRFI) ITHACA, NY — New York state has extended the order allowing restaurants to more easily operate on municipal sidewalks and closed streets. That order was considered a lifeline for an industry hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic when it was initially issued…
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