Tompkins County and the City of Ithaca secured $250,000 to jump-start new clean energy projects and attract private investment across the region.
The funding comes through Phase 1 of the Municipal Investment Fund, a national program designed to speed up local clean energy development and reduce emissions.
The county and city partnered with Community Sustainability Partners and Cornell University’s Environmental Systems Lab to compete for the grant. The award places them among 49 local governments selected nationwide and makes them the only New York communities to receive funding in this round.
The money will support development of a pipeline of projects aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions, creating jobs and expanding access to clean energy in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Officials plan to conduct a market analysis, engage stakeholders and identify projects ready for future investment. Early concepts span several sectors, including schools, clean vehicle infrastructure, affordable housing, workforce development and public buildings.
The Municipal Investment Fund is backed by ICLEI USA and the Coalition for Green Capital. It is part of a broader $5 billion capitalization grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Clean Investment Fund.
Irene Weiser, chair of the county’s Planning, Energy and Environmental Quality Committee, said the funding will help the county scale projects while supporting the local economy.
“The grant opens the door to financing tools and technical expertise that will allow us to scale clean energy projects across the County – creating local jobs and delivering long-term community savings,” Weiser said.
Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo said the funding will help the city move from climate policy to implementation.
“This investment will help the City of Ithaca continue to lead on climate action by turning ambitious policy into tangible, on-the-ground projects that improve the quality of life for all Ithacans while driving down greenhouse gas emissions,” Cantelmo said.
Partners will use Cornell’s Urban Building Energy Model to analyze how potential investments could affect neighborhoods and lower development costs, particularly for projects such as affordable housing.
The team continues to identify projects that could qualify for future predevelopment funding as part of the clean energy pipeline.
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