Archive: Around Town

Community leaders, friends, and family from all over Tompkins County gathered at Tompkins County Area Development offices Monday for the dedication of the Andrew J. Sciarabba conference room.  Sciarabba is co-founder of the Sciarabba & Walker accounting firm, as well as an active local developer for more than 25 years.  Tompkins Trust Company President & CEO and TCAD Vice-chairman Gregory Hartz made a brief tribute to Sciarabba before a plaque was unveiled.

"For me, early in my career Andy was truly a mentor and someone you looked up to for his leadership," Hartz said.  "That leadership was so centered around economic development. Anyone who knows Andy knows he has committed himself to economic development.  He's a true entrepreneur.  There are many projects around this community that many people don't realize have Andy's involvement in."

Sciarabba (left) with TCAD President Michael Stamm

South Hill Business Campus, Lansing Market, the 200 East Buffalo Street building are among Sciarabba's for-profit developments, and he was instrumental in raising funds for the not-for-profit sector as well, including the RINK, the Cayuga Medical Center capital campaign, and the United Way fundraising campaign.

"Andy has truly been a huge leader for our community," Hartz said.  "He continues to be.  It's very appropriate that we're naming this TCAD, the economic development engine for our community,  conference room in Andy's honor."

The room was lined with well wishers around a hand made table made by local craftspeople out of local wood. At right: TCAD Board of Directors Vice Chairman Gregory Hartz (left) and TCAD President Michael Stamm presented the plaque.
The conference room features unique hand made furniture including a conference table and credenza made from local wood.  It was crafted by Elizabeth Bly Wolff and James Nagel, who was present for the dedication.

"I think it's a great testament to Andy's contribution to the community that the board of directors contributed to pay for this," said TCAD President Michael Stamm.

Sciarabba has been treasurer of TCAD for about 16 years.  Over the past 10 years TCAD projects have created 1,700 new jobs, generated $145 million in new facilities and equipment, and 1.4 million square feet of new or renovated facilities.  Countless area businesses are members with business people from all sectors of Tompkins County's business community serving on the Board of Directors.  Recently Sciarabba has worked with the organization to develop a Lansing Town Center Incentive Zone.

This plaque was unveiled after a short dedication ceremony.

The plaque pictures Sciarabba with text dedicating the room in his name.  "In honor of his many years of dedication to Tompkins County Area Development as well as his commitment to Tompkins County's business and entrepreneurial community Tompkins County Area Development's Board of Directors is pleased to announce the naming of the Andrew J. Sciarabba Conference Room September 26, 2011."

"You never do things in life to be recognized," Sciarabba said.  "You do them because you have a passion for doing things.  We felt very strongly that the community needed a non-partisan organization that could really help direct what was going on in our community.  We're very fortunate to be in Tompkins County in Ithaca, New York where we have great strong engines of growth.  That's what I like about this organization.  It has a great team that knows how to nurture and make things happen.  I've seen it first hand."

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