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Tompkins County seeks grant applicants for tourism and community events
ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County tourism program is now accepting applications for the spring 2026 funding round for three grant programs with $164,000 in funding available. The grant programs are designed to enhance the county’s tourism sector, develop outdoor-recreation opportunities, and support community celebrations, per the Tompkins County announcement. A tourism grant workshop is […]
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ITHACA, N.Y. — The Tompkins County tourism program is now accepting applications for the spring 2026 funding round for three grant programs with $164,000 in funding available.
The grant programs are designed to enhance the county’s tourism sector, develop outdoor-recreation opportunities, and support community celebrations, per the Tompkins County announcement.
A tourism grant workshop is set for Jan. 28 at 3:30 pm in the Borg Warner room of the Tompkins County Public Library at 101 E. Green St. in Ithaca. The county encourages first time and returning grant applicants to attend.
“These grants play a vital role in supporting our local communities while strengthening Tompkins County’s position as a destination,” Nick Helmholdt, the county’s tourism program director, said in the announcement. “We encourage eligible organizations to consider how these funds can help bring their vision for community celebrations and tourism initiatives to life.”
Applications for all three grant programs are due Feb. 26.
For more information about eligibility requirements and application procedures, visit https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/tourism
About the grant programs
Community celebration grants provide funding to help nonprofit organizations and municipalities showcase Tompkins County’s culture and heritage through community events. With $24,000 available for the spring round, these grants support free, public celebrations that bring the community together. Individual grants are capped at $2,500.
Tourism advancement grants support events, projects, and marketing campaigns that attract overnight visitors to Tompkins County. This program offers up to $85,000 in total funding for the spring 2026 round, with individual awards limited to $10,000.
Tompkins County outdoors grants provide general operating support for organizations that enhance the county’s profile as an outdoor-recreation destination. Organizations that maintain outdoor-recreation facilities or provide outdoor-recreational programming are eligible to apply. A total of $55,000 is available in 2026.

Oneida County establishes framework for AI task force
UTICA, N.Y. — Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr. on Wednesday said the county has finalized the framework for the county’s artificial intelligence (AI) task

Micron sets date for groundbreaking on semiconductor-manufacturing campus in Clay
CLAY, N.Y. — Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) on Wednesday said it’s planning to break ground on Friday Jan. 16 on work to construct its

Children’s Home of Jefferson County names HR director
WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Children’s Home of Jefferson County (CHJC) announced it has promoted Tara Bohon to director of human resources, “recognizing her transformative contributions to organizational culture and HR excellence.” Bohon has been with CHJC since 2022, bringing significant knowledge and experience to the agency. “Tara’s progressive leadership and commitment to strengthening HR systems have
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WATERTOWN, N.Y. — Children’s Home of Jefferson County (CHJC) announced it has promoted Tara Bohon to director of human resources, “recognizing her transformative contributions to organizational culture and HR excellence.”
Bohon has been with CHJC since 2022, bringing significant knowledge and experience to the agency.
“Tara’s progressive leadership and commitment to strengthening HR systems have had a transformative impact on CHJC. Her ability to foster trust and transparency reflects the values of our North Country community, and we are fortunate to have her expertise and vision on our Executive Leadership Team,” Michelle Monnat, president and CEO of CHJC, said in the announcement.
Bohon earned her SHRM certification in 2022 and has more than seven years of expertise in human resources. She previously worked at Watertown–based Stebbins Engineering & Manufacturing Company before joining CHJC. Her strong background in HR practices and commitment to excellence have made her a valuable asset to the organization, CHJC stated.
A graduate of SUNY Potsdam, Bohon holds a bachelor’s degree (2012) and a master’s degree in education (2014).

Two Rochester–area financial advisors join GROW Wealth Partners
PHOENIX, N.Y. — Two Rochester–area financial advisors are merging their firms with GROW Wealth Partners, a Syracuse advisory and wealth-management firm. Richard Anderson of Anderson

FustCharles expands to Capital Region
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — FustCharles, a Syracuse–based accounting, tax, and advisory firm, on Tuesday said that an accounting firm based in the Capital Region has joined

Northern New York federal credit union merges with AmeriCU
ROME, N.Y. — AmeriCU Credit Union and Mountain Valley Federal Credit Union completed their merger on Dec. 1, 2025, Rome–based AmeriCU announced Monday. The transaction brings together two nonprofit financial institutions into a “single, stronger” organization serving more than 200,000 members with $2.8 billion in assets and 25 locations across New York State, per the
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ROME, N.Y. — AmeriCU Credit Union and Mountain Valley Federal Credit Union completed their merger on Dec. 1, 2025, Rome–based AmeriCU announced Monday.
The transaction brings together two nonprofit financial institutions into a “single, stronger” organization serving more than 200,000 members with $2.8 billion in assets and 25 locations across New York State, per the announcement.
The New York State Department of Financial Services approved the merger on Oct. 30, 2025. Neither AmeriCU nor Mountain Valley disclosed any financial terms of the merger agreement.
Mountain Valley Federal Credit Union is based in Peru in Clinton County, south of Plattsburgh.
AmeriCU says it has served both Clinton and Essex counties, and the North Country for many years. Mountain Valley Federal Credit Union’s branches in Peru, Keeseville, Wilmington, and AuSable Forks now become AmeriCU branches and form AmeriCU’s Mountain Valley Region.
The merger marks an “exciting new chapter” for AmeriCU Credit Union, Ron Belle, president and CEO of AmeriCU Credit Union, said in the announcement.
“By joining forces, we’re now able to provide more services, innovative technology, and a broader network of branches and ATMs to the Mountain Valley Region, all while staying true to our shared mission of ‘people helping people.’ We look forward to continuing to support our communities and helping more members live life, dream big, and achieve financial success,” Belle said.
Maggie Pope, former CEO of Mountain Valley Federal Credit Union, is now the assistant VP for community engagement in the Mountain Valley Region, AmeriCU noted.

Cornell graduate donates $55 million to endow Cornell CALS Ashley School
ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) will use a $55 million donation to establish the Cornell CALS Ashley School

Rochester credit union completes acquisition of Generations Bank
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — ESL Federal Credit Union (ESL) of Rochester says it has completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Generations Bancorp

Dannible & McKee to host virtual nonprofit conference on Jan. 7
SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Dannible & McKee, LLP is set to host its 24th annual nonprofit conference, a virtual event that is scheduled for this Wednesday Jan. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The conference will include seven presenters, along with keynote speaker Frank Ridzi, vice president for Community Investment at the Central New York
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Dannible & McKee, LLP is set to host its 24th annual nonprofit conference, a virtual event that is scheduled for this Wednesday Jan. 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The conference will include seven presenters, along with keynote speaker Frank Ridzi, vice president for Community Investment at the Central New York Community Foundation.
Melanie Littlejohn, president and CEO of the Central New York Community Foundation, was scheduled to be keynote speaker but notified Dannible & McKee that she’s unable to participate. Ridzi will deliver the same presentation, “From Mission to Metrics: Building a Stronger Case for Impact.”
Syracuse–based Dannible & McKee, LLP is a certified public accounting and consulting firm.
The nonprofit conference is open to nonprofit leaders, board members, and professionals across the business community. Registration is complimentary and available online at dmcpas.com/events.
The conference will feature presentations by Dannible & McKee’s audit, tax, and accounting professionals, covering topics that are titled, “Let’s Take the Dysfunction Out of Your Functional Statement!” as well as “The Top Questions You Want to Ask Your CPA About Your Tax-Exempt Organization;” and “Audit Survival Guide — From Panic to Prepared.”
In the keynote session, “From Mission to Metrics: Building a Stronger Case for Impact,” Ridzi will offer practical strategies to help nonprofit leaders connect mission-driven work with meaningful metrics that resonate with funders, boards and the communities they serve, per the announcement.
Attendees will learn how to identify key performance indicators, strengthen impact storytelling, and align data with strategic goals — “walking away with tools to not only measure what matters but to communicate it with confidence,” Dannible & McKee added in describing the keynote presentation.
Continuing professional education (CPE) credits are available for eligible participants. Additional information regarding credits is available on the registration page.
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