TCAD nurtures emerging high-growth businesses by building relationships early with founders, educating the commercial brokerage community about the needs of startups here, and sponsoring meetups with the entrepreneurs. New York State and Tompkins County offer business incentives to encourage investments that drive business growth and job creation. The incentives are available individually, or bundled as part of a comprehensive program. All government incentive programs are aimed at helping companies retain jobs by enhancing their operating effectiveness, or to create new jobs through business growth and expansion. Ithaca is not far from larger urban markets, with Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany nearby; Philadelphia, Boston and New York City a few more hours away and Toronto and Montreal just over the border. 

The Tompkins County economy outperforms many other communities in New York State. In fact, many of our businesses sell to both national and international customers. Technology related firms thrive around Ithaca and startups and expansions reflect the vitality of a broad range of sectors including biotechnology, electronics, and software with specialties ranging from food chemistry to microfluidic systems. Cutting edge ventures, alternative enterprise, and just plain good business ideas are enthusiastically received. Tompkins County startups can attract venture capital from national and international sources. Whether your market is around the corner or around the world, Ithaca is a great place for your business.