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I don't know why I was surprised when I realized how prosperous Tompkins County is.  I guess it's like what they say about not going to the tourist attractions in the place where you live until you move away.  You just don't notice them, because they are part of the landscape.  In our case some of them are literally the landscape.

But as I have been reporting on government and business around town I have realized that aside from being an extremely physically attractive location, the economic outlook is very good here.  I suppose what got me going on this train of thought was US Congressional candidate Ray Meier when he talked to me last Friday about how Tompkins County stacks up economically to other places within the district.

That got me to thinking about the impressive figures Chamber of Commerce Director Fred Bonn quoted at the ribbon cutting for the Chamber addition last June.  In the past ten years taxable hotel room sales in the county have surged from $7 million to $26 million.  And that translates into more sales for local businesses.  For example, a toy store owner near the new Hilton says her sales have increased since the hotel opened.

When you look at the success Northwest Airlines has had at the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, you are also seeing money spent in the area.  Visit some businesses in the Cornell Technology Park and you are seeing future growth in the County (and incidentally in Lansing).

With all the news about high taxes and high prices, it is worth taking a moment to remember why we care enough about all that to stay in the area.  This is a vital, exciting place to be.  The trick is to figure out how to stay on top of it, to take advantage of the business climate and make your fortune.  And if you do figure that out, will you please tell me?!

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