Tompkins County Area Development (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 also responsible for creating and implementing the comprehensive economic development strategy for the county that provides leadership to create a supportive economic environment.

Development Incentives

TCAD has been delivering incentives to its clients for over forty years. We know which government programs work in any specific situation, and we have close working relationships with incentive program mangers at all levels of government. TCAD has direct management responsibility for the County’s Industrial Development Agency, the source of a variety of local tax abatements and access to the tax-exempt bond market. We manage low interest rate loan funds and sit on review committees for local and regional government loan programs.

TCAD has an excellent working relationship with New York States economic development agency, Empire State Development (ESD). Representatives from ESD are always available to meet with us and our clients to discuss grant, loan and other incentive programs [source: MBS 4/06].

Workforce Investment

TCAD maintains a close partnership with the local workforce investment board, Tompkins Workforce NY, which aims to enhance productivity and competitiveness within the county by assisting employers in meeting their workforce needs. A three-year local workforce plan was completed in 2005. In the past five years, TWNY coordinated recruitment, assessment, and training services for Emerson Power Transmission during its rapid expansion, and coordinated with the Alliance for Manufacturing and Technology to identify small technology companies in need of strategic planning services. The board’s Professional Opportunities Development group is a forum for skilled and experienced area professionals who are committed to remaining in Ithaca to network and discuss the local job market needs and opportunities.

TCAD Partners:

Tompkins County IDA

Cornell University

NYSEG

Senator Winner

Senator Nozzolio

Senator Seward