Cortland County is situated at the geographic convergence of three regions: Central New York, the Finger Lakes and the Southern Tier. It is part of the Central New York Economic Development region, the Finger Lakes Tourism region and the Southern Tier East Regional Planning and Development Board.
Location
The Southern Tier includes two metropolitan areas, a number of smaller cities and extensive rural areas on New York State's south-central border with Pennsylvania.
Area
7,185 square miles
Market access
The Southern Tier's strategic location and well developed highway transportation infrastructure place it within easy distance of the major ports of call in the northeast, providing quick and reliable access to the markets of the world. Within a 370 mile radius are 78 million people.
Transportation
North-south access is provided by Interstate 81.
Metropolitan areas are accessed by Interstate 86.
Albany and New England are accessed by the Southern Tier Expressway, I-88.
Regional airports at Binghamton, Elmira and Ithaca provide passenger air service.
Rail service is via Norfolk Southern, NYS&W, Canadian Pacific (Delaware and Hudson), and Owego and Harford providing trackage and service to all areas.
Education
Nearly 40,000 students are enrolled at the region's dozen college's and universities which include some of the world's premier research and development facilities.
Quality of Life
The Southern Tier offers affordable housing and one of the lowest costs of living in the country. It boasts a variety of museums and attractions including national halls of fame for baseball and soccer. Sports fans come to watch PGA and LPGA tournaments, the Watkins Glen Grand Prix, three minor league baseball franchises and an American League hockey team