Tompkins County Area Development

Supporting business creation, retention, and expansion – contributing to a thriving and sustainable local economy

Updated June 26, 2020

Reopening References: your source for returning to work and life!

The COVID-19 Economic Development Resource Providers Group created annotated lists of back-to-work guidance and industry playbooks, financing options, and PPE manufacturers and providers, all aimed at helping you move forward!

Members of the group include TCAD, Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Ithaca Alliance, Visit Ithaca,  the City of Ithaca, Tompkins Workforce New York, Small Business Development Council, and Alliance for Manufacturing & Technology.

Please contact TCAD or any group member for help or more information.

Guidance and industry playbooks for reopening.

Back-to-work Guidance

Financing references and resources for reopening.

Financing Guidance

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for reopening.

PPE Manufacturers and Providers

COVID-19 News & Resources

June 26, 2020

Southern Tier Enters Phase Four 

The Southern Tier, which includes Tompkins County, may now enter Phase Four of reopening. Guidance for industries reopening in Phase Four is available here.

Industries included in Phase Four:

  • Higher Education
  • Low-Risk Outdoor Arts & Entertainment
  • Low-Risk Indoor Arts & Entertainment
  • Media Production

June 24, 2020

Masks Are Gorges Video 

TCAD is proud to have joined with community partners (Tompkins Chamber, Downtown Ithaca, Ithaca is Gorges (Ithaca & Tompkins County Tourism), Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick, Tompkins County Health Department, Ithaca Flair) in contributing to the making of the #MasksAreGorges video!

https://youtu.be/hkc2WTE1Iro

“My Mask Protects you; your mask protects me.”

“We are all in this together.”

June 24, 2020

Phase Four Guidance for Reopening Available

Guidance for industries that will be allowed to reopen in Phase Four is now available here. Tompkins County has not yet entered Phase Four.

Industries included in Phase Four:

  • Higher Education
  • Low-Risk Outdoor Arts & Entertainment
  • Low-Risk Indoor Arts & Entertainment
  • Media Production

June 15, 2020

SBA Reopens Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program 

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has reopened the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19.

SBA’s EIDL program offers long-term, low interest assistance for a small business or non-profit. These loans can provide vital economic support to help alleviate temporary loss of revenue. EIDL assistance can be used to cover payroll and inventory, pay debt or fund other expenses. Additionally, the EIDL Advance will provide up to $10,000 ($1,000 per employee) of emergency economic relief to businesses that are currently experiencing temporary difficulties, and these emergency grants do not have to be repaid.

Learn more and apply
Read the announcement

June 11, 2020

Phase Three Opens Tomorrow for Five Regions

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that five regions – Central New York, Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley, North Country and Southern Tier (Tompkins County is within the Southern Tier region) – will enter phase three of reopening tomorrow, June 12th. The team of global public health experts advising New York State on its reopening strategy has thoroughly reviewed the data for the five regions and cleared them to enter phase three. Phase three allows indoor restaurant and food services and personal care services to resume. Each industry is subject to specific state guidelines to maximize safety and social distancing.

 

  • Business guidance for phase three of the state’s reopening plan is available here.
  • Business guidance for phase two reopening is available here.
  • Business guidance for phase one reopening is available here.

June 9, 2020

Phase Three Guidance Now Available

Phase three is not yet open, but guidance is now available for phase three industries. Click here for posted guidance.

As a reminder to all essential businesses and those in phase one and phase two, along with those who choose to open once phase three is open – you will need to review the sector specific health and safety plan guidance required for opening and make sure your plan contains the State requirements. There is a document link “read and affirm detailed guidance” provided for each industry. You must use the link at the end of that document to submit an affirmation on-line that your business is in compliance with the New York Forward reopening guidance.

June 4, 2020

Guidance for Outdoor Dining Issued for Phase 2

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced outdoor dining at restaurants will be permitted in phase two of reopening. Restaurants in the seven regions that have already entered phase two – the Capital Region, Central New York, the Finger Lakes, the Mohawk Valley, the North Country, the Southern Tier and Western New York – can reopen for outdoor dining beginning today, June 4th. Outdoor tables must be spaced six feet apart, all staff must wear face coverings and customers must also wear face coverings when not seated. Find out more here.

 

Interim Guidance for Outdoor and Takeout/Delivery Food Services – Affirm that you have read and understand the guidance at the end of this document, and submit to the State.

 

Click here for information from Tompkins County on the Phase 2 updates.

May 29, 2020

Guidance for Phase 2 Reopening Now Available

Additional guidance for Phase Two industries has been posted HERE. The Southern Tier Region, which includes Tompkins County, HAS been approved for phase II reopening.

 

Review the sector specific health and safety plan guidance required for opening and make sure your plan contains the State requirements. There is a document link “read and affirm detailed guidance” provided for each industry. You must use the link at the end of that document to submit an affirmation on-line that your business is in compliance with the New York Forward reopening guidance!

 

Phase Two industries include:
  • Office-Based Work
  • Real Estate Services
  • Commercial Building Management
  • Essential and Phase II Retail – In-Store Sales
  • Vehicle Sales, Leases, and Rentals
  • Retail Rental, Repair, and Cleaning

 

If guidance has not yet been published for your specific industry, but you are permitted to reopen (i.e. as an essential business or outdoor recreation facility), please refer to the NY Forward Safety Plan template.

 

For more COVID-19 News
For the latest news from Governor Cuomo

Resiliency Resources for Tompkins County Businesses

The Resiliency Resources for Tompkins County document includes essential financial, workforce, general, and health resources, from local, state, and federal sources, during the COVID-19 crisis.

Resiliency Resources
TCAD Emergency Relief Loan Program

TCAD Emergency Relief Loan Program

Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) is introducing a short-term emergency relief fund for businesses in Tompkins County that have been impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic.

 

The Emergency Relief Loan Program (The Fund) will provide 3-year term loans to traded sector businesses whose customers are regional or national in scope (businesses who primarily sell products or services outside Tompkins County).
The loan will be for working capital to:
  • Prevent staff reductions
  • Allow business operations to continue
  • Offset losses related to the Coronavirus COVID-19

 

Loan terms:

  • Maximum amount offered for this 36-month loan is $50,000
  • Interest rate is 2.5%
  • Principal and interest payments are deferred for one year
  • There is no equity requirement

Eligible Borrowers:

  • Legally recognized forms of business, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, limited liability partnerships, professional service corporations, not-for-profit corporations, and cooperatives.
  • Business must be located in Tompkins County, must provide evidence of loss in revenue or cash flow within the last 60 days, and must be currently operating, even if only remotely.

Eligible Loan Uses Include:

  • Working capital (including payroll coverage)
  • Inventory
  • Equipment
  • New marketing efforts
  • Other reasonable business expenses

The loan may not be used to pay off existing loans or debt.

There is no cost to apply. There are no closing costs and no filing fees.

Loans will be available until funds are committed or until October 1, 2020.

For further information and to request an application please contact Chuck Schwerin at chucks@tcad.org.

Tompkins County Area Development (TCAD) focuses on economic development in Tompkins County. Since 1964, TCAD has continued to work tirelessly to grow, retain, and attract companies that provide high-quality employment opportunities. We strive to create a supportive environment for entrepreneurship and business development. Regardless of the economic times, we have continued to achieve successes.

Incentives and Programs

Tompkins County Development Corporation

TCDC promotes economic development initiatives in Tompkins County by offering tax-exempt bonding opportunities to not-for-profit organizations. Learn More

Industrial Development Agency

TCIDA delivers economic incentives to business and industry to diversify and strengthen Tompkins County’s tax base and enhance community vitality. Learn More

Loan Funds

Revolving Loan Funds are a popular economic development tool, delivering high risk capital to projects that cannot be financed by conventional sources. Learn More

Tourism Capital Grants

TCAD administers the Tourism Capital Grants program which supports capital projects at tourism destinations in Tompkins County. Learn More

Finger Lakes Regional Prosperity Network (FLRPnet)

FLRPnet extends the capacity and reach of economic development efforts in Tompkins County and the greater Finger Lakes region. Learn More

Tompkins County Economy and News

Learn more about the Tompkins County economy below and sign up for our economic newsletter for the latest in economic news every month.

Economic Data

Tompkins County Traded Sectors and local sectors by the numbers. Learn more

Workforce

The area also attracts experienced and skilled workers from afar for specialized employment opportunities. Learn more

Startup Community

The startup community brings together University, city and private sector partners to make Ithaca the best place to launch and grow a startup. Learn more