Tompkins County ERN

11/03/2026

Your appearance is part of your professional marketing strategy!

When preparing for work, we naturally focus on our skills and resume. But how you present yourself—dressing with intention, feeling put-together, and showing up with confidence—is one of the first marketing tools in your career toolkit.

Investing in your professional appearance isn't about buying expensive clothes; it’s about signaling self-respect, professionalism, and readiness to succeed.

We have incredible local resources to help you look and feel your best:

*Jennifer’s Closet (located right here at the Tompkins Chamber on Brindley St.) offers FREE professional clothing for both women and men! To schedule a visit or learn more, reach out to Karen Gutierrez at [email protected].

*Women's Opportunity Center is another fantastic community partner helping individuals build confidence, skills, and professional wardrobes for career success.

Confidence in your appearance shines through in all you do!

10/30/2026

👻 The scariest thing in business isn't a costume. It's the "Ghost Employee."

A great team member suddenly misses two shifts, goes quiet, and by next week, they’re gone. From the outside, it looks like they just vanished. But behind the scenes, it’s usually the "ghost" of a sudden life emergency—a broken car, a lost child care spot, or a financial panic—that felt too big to solve alone.

Nobody should lose a good job over a temporary bump in the road.

Through TC ERN, participating local businesses offer on-site, 100% confidential Success Coaching. We connect workers directly with local community resources, transit solutions, and stability tools so life's little shocks don't turn into ghosted jobs.

🎃 Don't let hidden barriers haunt your business stability this season. Let's talk about building a more resilient workforce!

email us today at [email protected]

*Exclusive to Tompkins Chamber members!

10/28/2026

Spent a fantastic day at Ithaca College’s Emerson Suites for the Diversity Consortium of Tompkins County Biennial Roundtable Community Impact Gallery.

Building a truly supportive and resilient local workforce takes all of us. Days like today—connecting with local leaders, community partners, and regional advocates—are a great reminder of how vital cross-network collaboration is for our community. (I was so immersed in all the great workshops and connections that I literally only took two pictures all day! 📸)

Proud to represent the TC ERN and continue building inclusive, strong pathways right here in Tompkins County!

10/26/2026

Just like you would use Visit Ithaca's travel guide to plan an excursion, you can call your Success Coach to help map out a goal or get assistance when life throws a detour your way!

Navigating real life can get overwhelming, don't do it alone!

Be sure to use all of the great resources available in Tompkins County, including 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, Su***de Prevention & Crisis Service, Tompkins County Whole Health Department, The Mental Health Association in Tompkins County, 2-1-1 Tompkins/Cortland

Not a TC ERN member yet? email us today [email protected]

*Exclusive to Tompkins Chamber Members.

Photo Credit: Tompkins Chamber

10/23/2026

Huge congratulations to the team at The Hotel Ithaca on their official ribbon cutting for the Burger & Bar! 🎉

We were so excited to help celebrate their official opening because the food speaks for itself—the sliders were amazing, and the fries are genuinely out of this world. 🍔🍟

If you haven't stopped in yet, you are definitely missing out!

Stop by, check out the new spot, and grab an incredible meal right here in downtown Ithaca. Let's show them some local support!

Looking for a great after-work spot? Check out their Social Hour Monday through Friday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM:

🍻 Buy one draft, get 2nd draft half price
🍷 $1 off house wines & mixed drinks
🍔 Buy one burger, get 2nd burger half price
🍗 $1 chicken wings

Stop by 222 S. Cayuga Street and show them some love!

10/21/2026

It’s definitely getting colder out!

If you, your family, or someone on your team needs a warm winter coat or extra winter gear this season, here are a few local options right here in Tompkins County:

🧥 Catholic Charities Clothing Closet (324 W. Buffalo St.): Offers free coats, winter clothing, and household items. Give them a call or stop by during their open hours to schedule an appointment.

🧥 Rotary "Share the Warmth" Bins: Keep an eye out for the red Rotary collection bins across town—donated coats and gear are distributed locally through community partners every fall.

🧥 Finger Lakes ReUse Centers: Both the Triphammer and Elmira Rd locations carry affordable winter outerwear, boots, and warm layers.

10/20/2026

A huge thank you to the team at The Strand Cafe for catering our L.E.A.R.N. Business Leadership training session!

The pizzas were fantastic and didn't last long. We deeply appreciate our local business partners who keep our programs fed and supported! 🍕✨

10/16/2026

Resource Alert! 🍂🍁

We love the beautiful fall colors of the Finger Lakes, but it's hard to enjoy them when you are stressed out about your heating bill.

That's why TC ERN is sharing this amazing resource available right here in Tompkins County!

Thanks to partners like Cornell Cooperative Extension Tompkins County and Smart Energy Choices there are two connected programs available to assist with both workforce development and home energy savings.

Here's how the two programs work:

🛠️ Energy Warriors focuses on hands-on workforce development—training local individuals for careers in essential fields like weatherization, HVAC, and equipment installation (with pathways to specialized training like heat pumps through programs like BOCES).

🌟 Smart Energy Choices (SEC) brings those efficiency solutions right to local households! Funded by NYSERDA, SEC provides FREE energy advising for both homeowners and renters across Tompkins County. A Community Energy Advisor can guide you through:
• Grant-funded insulation & weatherization programs to keep heat in this winter
• Energy incentives & clean heating options
• Step-by-step support navigating state energy programs and rebates

These two programs work hand-in-hand to build a stronger local workforce while keeping homes comfortable and energy bills manageable.

📲 Make sure to give CCE Tompkins and Smart Energy Choices a follow on social media to keep updated on upcoming energy workshops, local grant opportunities, and workforce training programs throughout the season!

No-cost energy advising by Cornell Cooperative Extension educators Smart Energy Choices Contact Us

10/14/2026

Furnishing a new apartment, updating your home, or looking for high-quality pieces on a budget?

The The Hotel Ithaca is holding a Public Flash Hotel Furniture Sale! Don't miss out on fantastic deals on quality furniture, decor, and more.

Check out the flyer below for all the details on dates, times, and location. Tag a friend who's moving or looking for a great bargain! 👇

10/12/2026

In observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day, the Tompkins Chamber, the TC ERN, and the Downtown Visitor’s Center will be closed on Monday, October 12, 2026.

Today, we honor the rich history, cultures, resilience, and contributions of Indigenous communities across our region and beyond.

🌲 Heading out to enjoy the park? While our main offices are closed, the Taughannock Falls Overlook Visitor Center will be OPEN from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday! It’s a wonderful day to head up, enjoy the fall scenery, and take in the stunning view of the falls.

Our offices will reopen on Tuesday, October 13. Wishing everyone a thoughtful and reflective day!