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The buy local movement isn’t new. But now, an initiative in Ithaca is offering a different kind of opportunity: to invest in local businesses. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe are nothing new and are donation based. The new Ithaca Exchange is investment crowdfunding. “Investment crowdfunding works with businesses to create actually SEC approved investment opportunities. Which means the businesses need to promise some type of financial return to investors.” That’s Stephanie Geller. She’s the founder of Community Wealth Builders in Baltimore. The group works to develop more equitable and inclusive neighborhood economies. They launched their Maryland Neighborhood Exchange program in 2019. “Even existing black businesses had a very hard time accessing growth…
WRFI News Team volunteer Esther Racoosin talks with Billy Kepner, Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator for Cornell Plantations. They discuss the different gardens of Cornell Plantations and why they are of value to the Ithaca Community. In addition, the educational components of Plantations and volunteer opportunities are described. This interview initially aired on the Tuesday,…
Read MoreLori Sonken speaks with Cornell professors David Shalloway and Brian Cabot about their efforts to encourage Cornell’s Board of Trustees to no longer invest in fossil fuels. This interview aired on October 26, 2015.
Read MoreThe Westfield Center for Historical Keyboard Studies based at Cornell, brought internationally known Scriabin specialist Matthew Bengtson to Ithaca as part of a commemoration of the centenary of Scriabin’s death. I talked to Matt before his performance on the 22nd. Matt Bengtson’s Web Site is mattbengtson.com
Read MoreThanks to everybody who contributed to our 2015 Quiet Drive last month! We raised a total of $6,620 from 91 donors, including (in no particular order): Mark Stenzler David Mazzarella, who gave in memory of Privacy & Democracy Camille Doucet Bob Fitzsimmons Rachel Lampert Philip Snyder Erica Crytzer Randi Beckmann & John Hoffmann Gail &…
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The buy local movement isn’t new. But now, an initiative in Ithaca is offering a different kind of opportunity: to invest in local businesses. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe are nothing new and are donation based. The new Ithaca Exchange is investment crowdfunding. “Investment crowdfunding works with businesses to create actually SEC approved investment…
Read MoreSabotage Cuts Candidate Forum Short A forum for Ithaca City School Board candidates Thursday night was interrupted and then cut short. The event was hosted by the Ithaca Teachers Association (or ITA) via Zoom. Seven candidates were slated to participate, three of whom are endorsed by the ITA. According to the Ithaca Voice, the attack…
Read MoreCornell President Pollack to Retire After seven years as Cornell’s President, Martha Pollock will retire on June 30. According to the Cornell Sun, in her announcement Pollack stressed that the decision to leave was her own. She added that she had been considering retirement since last fall. But events at Cornell and other campuses lead…
Read MoreHousing Market in Tompkins Remains Tight The housing market in Tompkins County continues to shrink. According to the Tompkins Weekly, housing stock is down 14% from last year’s already historic low. Brent Katzmann of the Ithaca Board of Realtors called the decline “disconcerting.” In addition to an overall decline in available houses for sale, he…
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