Housing and Economic Development Committee - May 6, 2026

The Tompkins County Housing and Economic Development Committee met on May 6, 2026, to discuss several key topics related to local economic development and housing initiatives. The committee unanimously approved a resolution to expand the membership of the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (TCIDA) from seven to nine seats, aiming to include broader community representation such as school districts. They also authorized an $80,000 disbursement from the Community Housing Development Fund to support a Habitat for Humanity modular home project at 610 West Court Street, leveraging workforce housing policy funds derived from developer payments tied to pilot agreements. Additionally, updates were provided on the 2025 round of housing affordability and infrastructure grants, which support municipalities in affordable housing research and infrastructure expansion, with projects underway in Dryden, Vanbe, and Ithaca. The committee received a presentation on the statewide Pro Housing Communities Program, highlighting its benefits for municipalities in accessing significant state funding by committing to increasing housing supply and removing development barriers. Finally, the Visit Ithaca team presented their 2025 annual report, detailing successful tourism marketing efforts, economic impact, and ongoing initiatives to promote Tompkins County as a top travel destination. The meeting included discussions on federal investment in local economic development and housing, with a resolution calling for bipartisan federal action to support these areas, which was passed with an amendment emphasizing accountability and affordability issues.