Tompkins County Airport is getting a new name. The Board unanimously approved (14-0; Board Chair Barbara Mink was absent) "Ithaca-Tompkins Regional Airport" as a new name for the facility. The Air Service Task Force recommended a new name as part of its promotion efforts. The Task Force agreed that the name "Ithaca" is more universally recognizable than "Tompkins County," and that "Regional" better reflects the actual service area of the airport. Airport Manager Robert Nicholas has been given the go-ahead to proceed with the name change as soon as practical. The County set aside $50,000 for marketing the airport this year, and New York State has contributed another $30,000 for the same purpose. Nicholas has said that part of that money will be used in a promotional campaign to introduce the airport’s new name. Contacts: Rep. Barbara Blanchard, 273-7847, 274-5434; Michael Stamm, Tompkins County Area Development, 273-0005.

The concept of a records archive and research center received unanimous support (14-0; Board Chair Barbara Mink was absent) from the Board. Such a center would house all of the County’s records in one location and would offer services such as genealogy and local history research to residents and visitors. No location or budget has been set for this proposed project but supporters suggest the center should be located in downtown Ithaca. It is anticipated that state grants would help create and support a records center, which could also be partially supported by user fees. Contacts: Rep. Stuart Stein, 273-3500; Rep. Frank Proto, 277-4875; Deputy County Administrator Kathryn Smithers, 274-5551.