11/09/04
Cortland County Opens New Building at 37 Church Street
New complex houses County Planning, BDC-IDA, Chamber of Commerce, Cortland
County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cortland Regional Sports Council and the
Cultural Council of Cortland County
Cortland, NY -- Chairman of the Legislature Scott E. Steve has announced the
opening this month of Cortland County’s new office building at 37 Church Street,
adjacent to Courthouse Park in the City of Cortland.
The Cortland County Legislature unanimously approved a proposal earlier this
year to purchase the building and consolidate the offices of the Cortland County
Planning Department, Cortland County BDC-IDA, Cortland County Chamber of
Commerce, Cortland County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cortland Regional
Sports Council and the Cultural Council of Cortland County.
"These strong agencies combining together gives our County an advantage to
improve growth that other counties dream of,” Steve said.
The agencies have now completed their moves, and the complex is now fully
operational. It includes spacious offices, as well as a conference center that
can accommodate 60 people for meetings and special events.
“Our new location at 37 Church Street provides an easily accessible, centralized
location for visitors to obtain information and assistance at one location on
the County government ‘campus.’ We look forward to continuing our great
partnerships that we had at our former location with the BDC-IDA and the Chamber
of Commerce, and our new partnerships with the Convention and Visitors Bureau,
the Sports Council and the Cultural Council at our new shared facility,” said
Dan Dineen, director of the Cortland County Planning Department.
The building is a fabulous one-stop, and it will provide visitors with a
‘gateway’ of information and services,” according to Linda Hartsock, executive
director of the Cortland County BDC-IDA. “The model is truly unique in New York
State, and positions Cortland at the leading edge of collaboration. Thanks to
the legislature for their vision and commitment to making this happen.”
Garry Van Gorder, executive director of the 470-member chamber of commerce,
agreed that housing the agencies under one roof makes sense for the county, for
the community, and for all the agencies involved. “The legislature’s leadership
is committed to finding every way it can to operate more efficiently, and we’re
happy to participate in that effort,” he said. “This sets the stage for enhanced
partnerships and new successes.”
Asked for comment on the move, Jim Dempsey, director of the Cortland County
Convention and Visitors Bureau replied, “The missions of the agencies now
located at 37 Church Street are so intertwined it makes perfect sense for all of
us to be under one roof. The move is a major step forward in our economic
development efforts and in our ability to serve both visitors and the
community.”
“The purpose of the Cortland Regional Sports Council is to promote Cortland
County for sports related business, events, competition and education,” said
Machell Phelps, executive director of that organization. “Being housed with the
BDC-IDA, Chamber of Commerce, County Planning and the Convention and Visitors
Bureau makes our start up operation much easier. The people I need to help in
facilitating the opportunities are literally at my doorstep. We appreciate being
included in this partnership.”
Todd Waltman, president of the Cultural Council of Cortland County, added, “It
is very advantageous for us as a growing organization to have the expertise and
resources of other major county organizations as our immediate neighbors. Our
thanks to the legislature for having the foresight to develop this complex.”
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