Local News for Thursday, March 2, 2023

State Awards Downtown Revitalization Grants

The Village of Montour Falls in Schuyler County and Waverly in Tioga County will each get $4.5 million in state grants to help revitalize their downtown areas. The funding will be used for local infrastructure projects, to boost economic development, and to create jobs. The funding comes from NY Forward, a competitive grant program for rural and small communities in each region of the state.

Tompkins Co BoE Announces “I Voted” Sticker Contest

The Tompkins County Board of Elections has invited young people to submit to designs for the 2023 ‘I Voted’ stickers. The BoE says all Tompkins County students in 9th through 12th grades are eligible to enter the contest. According to the Ithaca Voice, six designs will be chosen as finalists, the winner will be selected by a community-wide vote. The deadline to submit a design is May 1. The winning sticker will be given out at polling places during November’s elections. To learn more and submit your design go to tompkinscountyny.gov/boe

Regulations for Farmworker Overtime Pay Is Completed

State officials have finished regulations that will require farmworkers to be paid overtime when they work more than 40 hours a week. The plans will be phased in over the next ten years. The Albany Times Union reports that plan comes at the end of a contentious three-year debate between unions, worker advocates, farmers and politicians on both sides of the aisle. 

Elmira Raises Property Taxes

The Elmira City Council voted to raise property taxes by1 percent at it’s meeting Monday. According to WENY, the increase amounts to 28 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value. The resolution was approved five to one with only Councilman Nick Grasso of the first district voting nay.