New York State Secretary of State Randy A. Daniels Joins in Recognizing Thoma Development

Cortland-based Thoma Development Consultants is the recipient of the 2002 "Quality Community Award" given annually by the Cortland County BDC to recognize a person or organization who made a significant contribution to the community promoting downtown revitalization, historic preservation and economic development. New York State Secretary of State Randy A. Daniels joined the BDC in making the award to Thoma Development at a press conference on September 4 at Yaman Park in the City of Cortland, at which he also announced several grants to aid waterfront revitalization efforts in the region.

Cortland's "Quality Community Award" is patterned on the "Quality Communities" principles developed as part of the Governor's Interagency Task Force on Quality Communities. Last year's inaugural recipient was McNeil Development Company for its efforts transforming the 45,000 sq. historic landmark buildings (formerly the Wickwire Building built in 1869 and the Garrison Building built in 1884) into the McNeil Building -- home to new companies last year such as WetStone Technologies.

In seeking nominations for this year's award, the BDC wanted to recognize sustained commitment to quality development. Thoma Development Consultants was nominated by the Cortland County Planning Department, the Village of Homer, and the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce for 22 years of community development in Cortland County. Thoma Development Consultants is a private company, founded by Bernie Thoma, that currently provides community development services to the City of Cortland, Village of Homer, Village of Marathon, Village of McGraw, Town of Cortlandville, Town of Harford, Town of Lapeer, Town of Cinncinatus, Town of Cuyler and Town of Virgil. Thoma specializes in grants, housing, community development, economic development, research, project financing and specialized residential services.

Thoma has worked extensively with the Cortland County Business Development Corporation, serving as the lead consultant on the successful Empire Zone application, approved last June, as well as the current Empire Zone boundary amendment. The BDC has retained Thoma to work on numerous grant applications that have resulted in successful economic development project funding, including the $50,000 LWRP grant announced today by Secretary Daniels. Thoma administers both the BDC and IDA revolving loan funds which have financed many economic development projects in Cortland County. Thoma also works with municipalities across the Southern Tier and Central New York region.

"It's extremely fitting that Thoma be recognized with this award," noted BDC Executive Director Linda Hartsock. "Thoma's hallmark is quality, both in terms of the community development services it provides to local municipalities, as well as the values it instills in its employees who are involved in volunteer activities with many nonprofit community groups across the county. This award recognizes the entire Thoma team, and the vision of its president, Bernie Thoma."

Thoma has had a direct hand in finding funding for many downtown revitalization across Cortland County, through programs such as Community Development Block Grants through the Governor's Office of Small Cities, as well as grant programs for environmental, educational, cultural, recreational and historic preservation projects. "Beyond identifying and securing funding, Thoma also provides hands-on technical assistance from project development to completion, working closely with preservation architects, engineers and others involved in the implementation," added Hartsock. Specific projects have included the rehabilitation of the Community Services Building in the City of Cortland, and the revitalization of historic Main Street districts in the Village of Homer and City of Cortland. Thoma has also developed and managed business loan portfolios and grant programs for many communities in the County. "Its integrated and innovative approach to development, focusing on local government partnerships, community planning and a focus on quality, that earned Thoma the award."

"Thoma has been a community development partner for over 20 years," said Cortland County Planning Director Daniel Dineen. "Thoma has implemented CDBG grants throughout the County to enhance neighborhoods through housing rehabilitation and downtown revitalization. Thoma also recently completed a strategic plan for Cortland County's four primary downtown areas: the City of Cortland and the Villages of Homer, Marathon and McGraw. The plan builds consensus on the part of interested partners such as downtown property owners, government and community leaders and residents for the revitalization of the downtown areas."

Village of Homer Mayor Richard Beebe added that beyond streetscape grants, Thoma also worked with the Village to obtain funding for housing, parks, recreational and infrastructure projects through a variety of other federal and state sources. Thoma instituted a Downtown façade program, and developed the Village's business loan program. "Thoma's expertise in obtaining grants and plotting strategies for communities makes them second to none in providing municipalities the insight to accomplish goals that make for better places to work and live." Thoma worked with the Village of Homer and Cortland IDA on infrastructure financing for Phase Two of the Finger Lakes Business and Technology Park.

Thoma will be working over the next year with the Cortland BDC and Cortland County Planning Department on the development of a comprehensive Local Waterfront Development Program (LWRP) for the Tioughnioga River in Cortland. The project will bring together 11 municipalities to formalize planning related to waterfront issues.