About IAED
Who is Ithaca Area
Economic Development?
Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED) is a private non-profit economic development organization serving Ithaca and Tompkins County. We are New York State’s first and only Accredited Economic Development Organization, one of just 70 across North America.
Since 1964, IAED has maintained a singleness of purpose: create a supportive business climate that attracts, grows, and retains companies that provide quality employment. To that end, IAED provides customized economic development solutions to help you grow and prosper. It’s who we are and what we do.
Through forward-thinking, strategic partnerships with businesses, government, academic institutions, and area non-profits, we’re your one-stop shop for success. Check out this website and some of the amazing things we’re doing. Then get in touch and let’s get creative together!
Our Services
Direct Services
IAED provides customized resources that fit the needs of businesses at every stage of growth and development. From start-ups to stalwarts, IAED promotes economic vitality through financial support, workforce services, assistive technologies, and so much more.
Planning & Strategy
IAED develops and engages community partners to implement the Tompkins County Economic Development Strategy 2.0 and COVID-19 Recovery Strategy. And we’re just as integral on other important projects with local, regional, and state partners.
Leadership
IAED president, Heather McDaniel, serves on the boards of the Internal Economic Development Council, NYS Economic Development Council, and Tompkins County Air Services Board. Her staff follow suit, sharing their expertise at all levels of governance.
Programs & Initiatives
Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency
The TCIDA delivers tax incentives to support job growth, business development, and community revitalization.
Tompkins County
Development Corporation
The TCDC is a conduit to the tax-exempt bond market and low-cost financing.
Initiatives
IAED coordinates key initiatives, including the 2020 Water & Sewer Evaluation Update, Tourism Capital Grants, broadband infrastructure, and more.
IAED Loan Fund
The IAED Loan Fund helps entrepreneurs start new enterprises and expand existing businesses.
Our Team
IAED is dedicated to helping businesses start, grow, and stay in Ithaca and Tompkins County. Our team brings with it a wealth of knowledge and experience to support a healthy and prosperous local economy.
Heather McDaniel, CEcD, AICP, EDFP
President
Danielle Szabo
Director of Workforce Innovation
Kurt Anderson, CEcD
Director of Development, Operations, and Strategy
Kellea Bauda
Director of Business Services
Ina Arthur
Manager of Administrative Services
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
Jodi Lee Denman, Chair
CFO, Knickerbocker Bed Company & Wiggins Plastics
Tim Downs, Vice Chair
VP, Finance & Administration, Ithaca College
Jeff Gorsky, Treasurer
Partner, Sciarabba Walker & Co.
Lisa Whitaker, Secretary
President & CEO, CFCU Community Credit Union
Katie Borgella*
Commissioner of Planning & Sustainability, Tompkins County
Robert Cantelmo
Mayor, City of Ithaca
Dr. Greg Galvin
Past Chair, President/CEO, Rheonix
Greg Mezey
Legislator, Tompkins County
Directors
Korsah Akumfi*
Administrator, Tompkins County
Johanna Anderson
President, Tompkins Community Bank of CNY
Randy Brown
Legislator, Tompkins County
Peggy Coleman*
Interim President, Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce
Kate de la Garza
Executive Director, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services
Peter Dugo
President, Arnot Realty
Mike Horan
President, Taughannock Aviation
Tom Knipe*
Deputy Director of Economic Development, City of Ithaca
Dr. Amy Kremenek
President, TC3
Jason Leifer
Supervisor, Town of Dryden
Robert Lewis
SHIFT Capital
Christine Lovely
VP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Cornell University
Chris Malcolm
Manager, Wegmans
Margo Martin
Superintendent, Groton Central School District
Heather McDaniel*
President, Ithaca Area Economic Development
Kelly Nelson
Plant Manager, Borg Warner Morse TEC
Carly Norton
Sr. Economic Development Specialist, NYSEG
Brian Noteboom
Local 277 Representative, NASRCC
Carrie Pollak
Partner, Hancock Estabrook
Tom Schryver*
Executive Director New Market Advancement, Cornell University
Chris Sponn*
Director, Tompkins County Workforce Development
Dr. Martin Stallone
CEO, Cayuga Medical Center
Jennifer Tavares
Director of Community Relations, Cornell University
Jeremy Thomas*
Senior Director, Cornell University Real Estate
Tam Warren
Regional Vice President, Warren Real Estate
Shawn Wilczynski
Mine Manager, Cargill, Inc.
*Ex-officio, non-voting
Contact IAED
What does your business need? We’ll help answer your questions, connect you to resources, and support your business as it starts, grows, and evolves.