Archive: Business & Technology

U. S. Congressman Tom Reed visited Advanced Design Consulting (ADC) in Lansing to learn about the custom-high-tech world wide business and its local workforce.  Reed was treated to a tour of the facility Tuesday by ADC President Alex Deyhim and Director of operations Eric Van Every.  He  spent more time listening than talking, getting to know the company and its workers, who eagerly explained several of the projects they are working on. 

"I can tell Alex and Eric are committed and I can tell you guys are committed to them," told the assembled employees.  "To see so many younger folks standing here... that's my dream.  Alex and Eric have demonstrated here that you can do it.  And you're making it and you're selling it across the world.  I'm excited about that and I wanted to come and see first hand how you are doing it.  It's clear to me that it's you."

The Tompkins Trust Company Awards for Excellence, which annually recognizes outstanding volunteers and community organizations, has been renamed the James J. Byrnes Award for Excellence in honor of the Ithaca resident and leader of Tompkins Financial Corporation.  Greg Hartz, President and CEO of Tompkins Trust Company, made the announcement during the 29th presentation of the Awards for Excellence, on Monday (May 19).

Tompkins Financial Corporation is contributing $100,000 in Mr. Byrnes’s name.  Byrnes became the President and CEO of the Tompkins Trust Company in 1989, and became the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Tompkins Financial in 1992.  In 2006 Byrnes retired as the President and CEO of Tompkins Trust Company, but continued his position as Chairman of the Board of Tompkins Financial until this month.

Trust Company honored four individuals and two local non-profit organizations with 'Awards for Excellence' for their outstanding volunteer service to the community. Six thousand dollars was donated to local charitable organizations from the bank’s endowment fund through the Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County. The honorees each designated their $1,000 award to not-for-profit organizations of their choice.

This year’s individual honorees are Rick Grossman of Ithaca, Mary Camobreco of Trumansburg, Juanita Teeter of Ithaca, and Thomas Baldwin of Ithaca. The group honorees are the combined efforts of the 2-1-1 Tompkins/Cortland Help-line Volunteers and the Cornell Retirees Volunteering in Schools.

McNeil Music of Ithaca and Rob Natoli of Loud Room Guitars announced the addition of in-store electronic repairs Wednesday to the list of services available at McNeil Music of Ithaca.  The store has created a workshop space for repairs to amplifiers, speakers, keyboards, mixers, and other audio gear. Electronics technician and lifelong musician Rob Natoli has set up shop in the store to make the repair process hassle-free. Handling repairs within the store will improve customer service with faster turnaround time and easier status checks, and will help to lower costs.

Natoli has been performing electronic repairs on musical equipment for over a decade with a passion for "keeping musicians' gear going".

Cayuga Medical Center physicians, leaders, and clinicians gathered last week to celebrate the Center of Distinction Award, by Healogics, Inc., the largest provider of advanced wound care services.  The award was given to Matt Rouff, manager of the Cayuga Center for Wound Healing.

The center achieved outstanding clinical outcomes for twelve consecutive months, including patient satisfaction over 92%, a minimum 91% wound healing rate within 30 median days to heal, and other quality outcomes.  Of 511 centers eligible for the Center of Distinction award, only 157 achieved the honor.

New York’s Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) supported more than 4,500 projects and provided $554 million in net tax exemptions in 2012, but estimated job gains were 2,400 lower state-wide than the previous year, according to a report issued Tuesday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. This is DiNapoli's seventh annual report examining the performance of the state's IDAs.

“In many parts of New York, IDA projects provide a much-needed boost to local economic development efforts,” said DiNapoli. “However, I continue to stress the need for more accountability and disclosure to ensure taxpayers are getting their money’s worth. Accurate reporting is vital for determining whether job creation goals are reaching their benchmarks and this report shows improvements need to be made. New Yorkers should not be left to doubt the effectiveness of providing businesses with tax breaks and other benefits.”

Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) announced that their "Transform Tompkins" investment campaign exceeded its goal, raising more than $1.7 million. The campaign was publicly launched in February with an ambitious goal of $1.4 million. The investment will support initiatives and programs that will require operational support from TCAD.

TCAD celebrated their 50th anniversary with the campaign success on May 9th at the 2014 Annual Report to the Community with over 130 business and community leaders.

Alternatives Impact, the 501(c)3 affiliate of Alternatives Federal Credit Union, announced that Tompkins Trust Company is a sponsor of Alternatives’ Business CENTS program again this year. Business CENTS (Community Enterprise Networking and Training Services), is a resource center, offering classes and workshops, individual consultation and coaching, and many other services for entrepreneurs at all stages of the planning process.

Thousands of local aspiring entrepreneurs, of whom 60% are women, 10% are self-identified minorities and 70% are low to moderate income, have learned to write viable business plans and become “loan ready” since the program began in 1995. Currently led by Business CENTS Director Leslie Ackerman (pictured), the program serves more than 300 people annually.

In recognition of National Drinking Water Week (May 5-9), the local nonprofit water testing lab, Community Science Institute, will be offering discounted coliform bacteria testing for residents with private wells. National Drinking Water Week raises awareness about drinking water protection and highlights the importance of the availability of safe drinking water.

Less than one percent (1%) of the Earth's water is suitable for drinking. Protection of drinking water supplies, including both private wells and municipal sources, is a shared responsibility.

“I’m thrilled that the perennial favorite Hot Dog Day, followed by the 5th anniversary celebration at Sweet Melissa’s Ice Cream Shop, will both count toward our anonymous ‘matchmaker’s’ $30,000 challenge!” says Jim Bouderau, SPCA of Tompkins County executive director.

The two events will take place on Friday, May 2: Hot Dog Day, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and Sweet Melissa’s Ice Cream Shop’s 5th Birthday Benefit from 4:00 to 7:00 PM.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Division of Homes and Community Renewal have announced   awards for over $95 million to finance 27 affordable housing projects across New York State.  The highly competitive Unified Funding program received over 100 applications for housing projects   including six from the Southern Tier region.  One of the projects that received funding is Stone Quarry Apartments in Ithaca. Stone Quarry is a joint venture of Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) and its partner  –  PathStone Corporation, a regional real estate and community development organization.

“We are very excited to see this project receive the funding it needs to move forward.   Stone Quarry will help to address the urgent need our community has for affordable rental housing.  The support of the City of Ithaca and the Mayor were critical.” said Paul Mazzarella, INHS’s Executive Director.

TCAT has contracted with an Austin, Texas, company to find out how to better serve passengers and to determine what is dissuading non‑riders from using the system.

From Fri., May 2 through Sun., May 11, a team of NuStats Research Solutions surveyors will board TCAT buses and distribute paper questionnaires asking passengers why and how frequently they use TCAT; how they get their information about the system; and how they believe the system could be improved.  In addition, an online survey will be available for riders, non-riders and the community in general to offer input as well.