Ithaca Area Economic Development

Tompkins Build graduate, Terance, had his signing ceremony today to join the Laborers Local 785! Prentice Smith, Ithaca Representative for Laborers' Local 785 and Tompkins Build instructor, welcomed him to the union.

A special thank you to LeChase Construction for sponsoring the Tompkins Build program, providing the vital training that qualified Terance for this incredible opportunity.

Congratulations, Terance! We are proud of all your hard work and know that you will bring positive energy and drive to your new career!

Last Friday, May 15th, IAED hosted a Tompkins Build graduation ceremony at Stewart Park in Ithaca. Big CONGRATULATIONS to all 14 Spring 2026 graduates, who completed the 11-week paid training program, earned 5 industry-recognized certifications, and are now embarking on their careers in the union construction trades!!

Of the graduates, 4 have already been accepted into union apprenticeships: one with Local 30 Heat & Frost Insulators, one with IUPAT DC 4 of WNY & CNY , and two with BAC Local 3 NY .

Thank you, as always, to our project sponsor, LeChase Construction , for making Tompkins Build possible. Thanks also to the graduates' friends and families, labor representatives, community partners, and elected officials who attended the event to celebrate their tremendous achievement!!

That's a wrap on the Spring 2026 cohort of Tompkins Build: Pathways to Apprenticeship!

The Tompkins Build class had a busy week of classes last week. They visited IBEW Local 241 (Ithaca JATC) to practice alongside 4th-year electrician apprentices, finished their program project, and earned two Green Professional (GPRO) Building Skills Training certifications through the Urban Green Council.

We want to express our gratitude to LeChase Construction for their sponsorship and continued support of this workforce development initiative! Congratulations to all 14 participants who completed the 11-week paid training program and are now embarking on their careers in the union construction trades!! A graduation ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 15th.

Now THAT is how you do an Annual Meeting!

They say you shouldn't mix business with pleasure, but our team begs to differ. We prove every day that you can have a blast while getting the job done. 💼🎯

To everyone who attended, networked, and shared ideas yesterday: you made this event unforgettable. Let’s keep this momentum going!

Last week, the Tompkins Build class drove down to Horseheads to visit the Carpenters Local 277 training center. After a tour, students practiced burying nails with the fewest hammer swings, controlling a lift, and welding joints. Then they competed to see who could install drywall screws the fastest: congrats to the winner, Mel!

With only 2 weeks of the program left, participants have begun applying for union apprenticeships and are eager to start the next step of their construction careers!

Thank you, LeChase Construction, for your sponsorship of this program.

A Major Milestone for Downtown Ithaca! 🏙️

We are thrilled to share that the City of Ithaca has been nominated to receive funding through Round 9 of New York State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI)!

As a catalyst for local economic prosperity, Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED) is proud to support this effort to secure $10 million in transformative state investment. This nomination is a powerful recognition of Ithaca’s potential to grow as a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive urban center.

We were honored to hear from distinguished speakers, including:
• NYS Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley
• Robert G. Cantelmo, Mayor of Ithaca
• John Hubbell, Mayor of Margaretville
• Robert Clements, Mayor of Stafford

Congratulations to the city leaders, partners, and community members who have worked tirelessly on this application.

📸 Photo credit: Howell Liberatore & Associates, Inc.

Check out the latest episode of All Things Equal, where our Executive Director, W. Kurt Foreman, joined Susan Riley to discuss the local economic landscape, his vision for growth, and key workforce priorities for Ithaca. It’s a great conversation for anyone interested in the future of our local business community!

PODCAST: Susan Riley is joined by Kurt Foreman, executive director of Ithaca Area Economic Development. ⬇️

Big news — IAED is hiring!

We're looking for two talented people to join our team and help make Tompkins County an even better place to live, work, and do business.

Director of Business Services — A senior role leading our business retention and attraction efforts, managing our Revolving Loan Fund, and overseeing the Tompkins County IDA/DC. Salary range $90K–$105K.

Business Services Associate — A junior-level position that's a fantastic opportunity to launch a career in economic development. Salary range $55K–$65K.

Both positions offer a 35-hour work week, great benefits, and a close-knit team environment. If you or someone you know has a passion for economic development and community growth, we want to hear from you!

Check out the full job descriptions and apply at the link below. 👇

Open Positions Open Positions

This week, Tompkins Build enjoyed a class favorite: heavy-duty hands-on learning! Students visited the Upstate Operating Engineers (IUOE Local 158) training center in Constantia to get behind the wheels of four pieces of heavy machinery: a haul truck, a roller, a front-end loader, and an excavator. Even with a threatening storm on the horizon, they preferred to keep moving dirt all night!

A huge thank you to LeChase Construction for sponsoring this experience and helping us build the next generation of industry pros! 🏗️💪