Local News: March 14, 2024

- Ithaca Tompkins airport among projects getting part of over $18 million new federal funding -

Ithaca Tompkins International Airport is getting $1.5 million of federal funding for a new facility. A joint statement from New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand says the new building will bring the airport’s fire, rescue and snow removal equipment into a single building. The funding is part of over $18 million in the 2024 federal budget. Other projects getting support include $1 million for the construction of tiny houses for veterans’ housing in Broome County and $2 million to improve the wastewater treatment facility in the town of Chenango. The town is near Whitney Point in Broome County. The funding will reduce phosphorus going into the Chesapeake Bay.

- Tompkins County rolling out new voting machines for upcoming village election -

Voters in Cayuga Heights, Trumansburg, Dryden and Groton will be the first to use Tompkins County’s new voting machines. They’ll be in place for the village elections on March 19. The rest of the county will get to use them starting with the early voting period before the April 2 Presidential primary elections. The county board of elections says the new machines from Clear Ballot Group are certified by the state. County election officials say the new machines will be process ballots faster and hold more ballots.

- Cortland County to hold public feedback sessions for its strategic planning -

Cortland County wants residents to participate in its strategic planning process. The plan will become a guide for future policy making, investments, and development. The county planning department is holding five public meetings across the county from March 19 through April 5. More details are here and here.