Ithaca/Tompkins County

Financials Foundation Cayuga Waterfront Trail Now that the Cayuga Waterfront Trail has been complet- ed, the focus on furnishing and maintaining the trail went full steam ahead in 2016. Maintenance was performed throughout the year by trail director Rick Manning, various work-study students, and trail "adopters." New interpretive panels to educate trail users were planned. In 2017, the CWT will continue to focus on fundraising for long-term maintenance of the trail, new opportunities for local and regional trail interconnectivity, and explore options for year-round trail maintenance with local stake- holders. Leadership Tompkins Throughout 2016, the Leadership Tompkins Program continued to grow under the leadership of Deb Mohlen- hoff. This great collaboration between the Chamber Foundation and TC3 yielded another graduating class of 25 in June. The class selected Gary Stewart, Director of Cornell University Community Relations, as the recipient of the Jean McPheeters Award. The 2017 Leadership Tompkins Class has explored topics related to tourism, economic development, board service, government op- erations, community service, and much more throughout the first four months of the program. Beautification, Signage, and Public Art Progress In early 2016, the Beautification, Signage, and Public Art Strategic Plan--a primary objective of the Tompkins County Strategic Tourism Plan--was completed with the help of the Chamber's Beautification Committee. The program, administered by the Chamber and imple- mented through the work of the Cornell Cooperative Extension Beautification Brigade and the Downtown Ithaca Alliance Ambassador Program, boasted several accomplishments last year: incredible plantings on the Commons, several new or expanded planting sights, rec- ognition awards for businesses and individuals invested in community beautification, and several thousand in rural beautification grant investments. Three new public art investments were also guided, in part, through the contributions of this committee and program funds. Photo Credits: Brian Maley: Outdoor photos, page 5 Allison Usavage: Photos on pages 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14 and back cover 13

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