Tompkins County Receives $1M for Housing Infrastructure at SouthWorks

Tompkins County will receive $1 million through the New York State County Infrastructure Grant Program to support critical infrastructure for The Woods, a mixed-income residential neighborhood as part of the massive SouthWorks adaptive reuse project. Specifically, the award will enable the installation of public water and sanitary sewer laterals and public roads and a roundabout, which form the foundation of the 100-unit housing development.

The award is matched by other grants and private investment from principals Shift Capital, USC Builds, Xylem Projects, and L Enterprises. “This grant unlocks our first residential units. It is a huge step towards our commitment to bringing 915 units of housing to Tompkins County and the Ithaca community,” said Rob Lewis, Development Project Manager at Shift Capital.

SouthWorks is a master-planned, mixed-use redevelopment of the 95-acre former Emerson Power Transmission site. The $550 million project is expected to take 10 years to complete and will feature residential, office, light manufacturing, and lab space along with outdoor amenities: a livable, workable, walkable community in the heart of Ithaca.

Governor Hochul’s Press Release >>

Tompkins County Press Release >>

IAED’s Pathways to Manufacturing Registration Open Through July 18^th

Registration for IAED’s summer session of Direct to Work: Pathways to Manufacturing is open through Friday, July 18^th. The 5-week paid training program will run August 4^th – September 5^th at the TC3 Dryden Campus. During the program, participants learn production processes, complete hands-on metrology and soldering, and tour local manufacturers. Upon completion, they get a one-time $1,000 stipend and 15 continuing education credits from TC3 as well as a guaranteed an interview with a manufacturer of their choice and the chance to sit for the nationally recognized Certified Manufacturing Associate exam.

For more information about Pathways to Manufacturing or to register for the summer session:

• Visit the program website >>
• Or contact Mira Kuroyedov at (607) 273-0005 or directtowork@ithacaareaed.org

IAED and Tompkins County IDA to Host IDA Academy

IAED and the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency are co-hosting the New York State Economic Development Council’s annual “IDA Academy” at the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center (IDCC) on Tuesday, July 29^th. For the first time since 2023, the Authorities Budget Office will be in attendance and provide required board training for IDA and LDC members. Other sessions will cover topics such as transparency and oversight, audits and reviews, and Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT). IAED administers the IDA on behalf of Tompkins County, and the academy is another in a series of events sponsored by IAED that attracts regional and state attention to Ithaca and the IDCC.

Learn more and register today >>

Global NY Road Show Coming Soon to a Location Near You

Global NY – a division of Empire State Development – is launching an international trade promotion tour in all 10 of the state’s economic development regions from September 3^rd –11^th. The Southern Tier event is scheduled for September 9^th. Global NY is a one-stop shop designed to help businesses statewide enter or expand their presence in the global market.

Register for any of the tour stops >>

Cornell Professor Publishes Book on Digital Divide, Available Free Online

Cornell professor, Dr. Mildred Warner, and colleagues recently published a book titled “Bridging the Digital Divide in the US: Planning Innovative State and Local Approaches” that highlights innovative cases in an ever-changing broadband environment. The authors express hope that it will serve as a resource for practitioners and policymakers in addressing equitable access to broadband, which is widely considered critical infrastructure. Dr. Warner was an advisor to IAED’s former broadband intern, Ed Guo.

The book is available for free as a PDF or e-book, or hard copies can be purchased online.

• Visit Taylor & Francis Group here for access >>