Chemung County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Chemung County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Chemung County Airport Lease Controversy and Transparency
Legislators discussed delays in finalizing a county land lease for Carrington Aviation at the former warplane museum site, potentially stalling economic growth and tax revenue.
Incubator Works Funding Renewal
Incubator Works requested the continuation of its $100,000 annual county funding to support small business mentoring, co-working spaces, and youth entrepreneurship programs in Elmira.
Cornell Cooperative Extension & Energy Warriors Program
Cornell Cooperative Extension presented its 2027 outlook and requested a 4% increase in county appropriation while highlighting its community programming and the new Energy Warriors green jobs training initiative.
Airport Facility Tour and FBO Review
Legislators requested a coordinated tour of the county airport and fixed-base operators (FBOs) to better understand local aviation operations.
Project Milo (Amazon) Site Access and Development
Developers for the Amazon project at Airport Corporate Park South received approval for early site access to begin moving dirt while final legal and regulatory requirements are finalized.
Chemung County Microenterprise Assistance Program CDBG Update
Chemung County is wrapping up a $300,000 state grant program that helped local small businesses with up to $25,000 each for equipment and working capital. The initiative successfully supported 10 businesses outside of Elmira and helped create or save 28 jobs.
Rural King Development at Former Topps Plaza
Rural King plans to invest $6.3 million to acquire and renovate the vacant former Topps supermarket in South Elmira, bringing 45 new jobs and boosting regional sales tax revenue. The project is seeking a 50% ten-year property tax exemption from the IDA.
Industrial Development Agency (IDA) PILOTs and Tax Revenue Distribution
Legislators debated the history and benefits of Payment In Lieu of Tax (PILOT) agreements, defending past projects like the CVS distribution center against recent criticisms.
MUCT Travel Center at 905 East Church Street
A developer is planning a $22 million full-service travel center and truck stop on Church Street to boost local economic activity and provide truck services.
Lecom Center Redevelopment Success
The board recognized the successful transformation of the Lecom Center, which was previously a dark and vandalized facility before being taken over and revitalized by the IDA and the Stemmerman family, bringing new jobs and tax revenue to the community.
Elmira College Updates and Community Economic Impact
Elmira College President Dr. Charles Lindsay provided an upbeat report on rising enrollment, new career-oriented programs, and strong financial health before his upcoming departure. The college remains a major regional economic anchor, contributing nearly $59 million annually and generating thousands of community service and internship hours.
2026 Elmira Corning Regional Airport Rates and Charges
The county proposed new airline rates and charges for the Elmira Corning Regional Airport for 2026. No members of the public offered comments during the hearing.