Water
Cortland County has an abundant supply of water through a sole source aquifer. The City of Cortland operates the largest waste water facility in the County. In addition to the City of Cortland, the facility provides treatment services on a contract basis to several other municipalities in the County. The balance of the County is served primarily by private waste disposal systems. The waste water facility has excess capacity and the current distribution system is in good repair, according to a recent report prepared for the Cortland County Business Development Corporation by Saratoga Associates. The Cortland Aquifer Protection Alliance (CAPA) monitors all water resources in Cortland County. Cortland County enjoys abundant water resources, both tapped and untapped, and has the capacity to accommodate future growth.
Utilities
Plentiful and inexpensive gas and electricity are provided by New York State Electric and Gas Corporation and Nation Grid Power Corporation, respectively. Both companies have a long tradition of responding quickly and effectively to any consumer need or problem, and have very proactive economic development offices that can work with companies to customize services and offer special incentive rates.
Both utilities also provide a full range of products and services to help facilitate site and work force expansions among their commercial and industrial users. As well as maintaining a site inventory, Nation Grid can provide assistance in helping to identify export opportunities, partners for joint ventures and local supplier linkages. Nation Grid has an extensive research department that maintains information on the upstate New York economy, labor force, demographics and quality of life.
In addition, Nation Grid works in partnership with the New York State Center for Advanced Technology in Central New York to offer hands-on technical services and funding for productivity improvements for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in the company's service area. Another program, ExportNY, is a yearlong International Business Institute for area executives by Nation Grid to give companies technical assistance in entering the global marketplace.
Telecommunications
Telecommunications is another important component of infrastructure, and Cortland County is at the geographic center of two major telecommunications initiatives. Nation Grid is partnering with communities and businesses to create "The Digital Towpath" -- a project to help establish and re-brand the Erie Canal Corridor as a new economic growth region tuned into the global network economy. "The Digital Towpath" project is using technology, training and marketing to help communities in Central New York become empowered through digital technology. The goal of "The Digital Towpath" project is to help upstate New York do what the Erie Canal did for the region 150 years ago by creating access to world markets, building new infrastructure, and helping businesses take advantage of opportunities for business expansion through e-commerce, electronic cottage industries and wired communities.