Community engagement to be launched for Countywide Minimum Wage Study
Published on March 18, 2026
Tompkins County is announcing the official launch of a community engagement process to support the county’s minimum wage study, beginning with a public convening on Tuesday, March 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the conference room at Tompkins County Whole Health, 55 Brown Road in Ithaca.
This first event marks the start of a series of community conversations designed to gather input from stakeholders across the county as policymakers consider the potential impacts of establishing a countywide minimum wage above the New York State minimum, which is currently $16 per hour.
“This study is fundamentally about listening,” said Shawna Black, Chair of the Tompkins County Legislature. “We look forward to hearing directly from workers, businesses, service providers, and residents so that any future policy decisions are informed by real experiences, data, and community needs.”
The March 24 convening will provide an opportunity for participants to meet, share perspectives, and begin an open exchange of ideas. Additional convenings focused on specific stakeholder groups, including workers, businesses, the care economy, and data and policy experts, will be scheduled in the coming weeks. The project team is also working to support participation by addressing barriers such as childcare and transportation, with full details to be announced soon.
If you are planning to attend, please register here. Residents who are unable to attend the launch event are encouraged to participate in future sessions as the schedule is finalized.
Background on the Minimum Wage Study
The Tompkins County Legislature authorized this study to explore the potential impacts of adopting a local law establishing a countywide minimum wage higher than the State minimum. The county issued a Request for Proposals in 2025 and subsequently entered into an agreement with the Cornell ILR Ithaca Co-Lab to conduct the study and facilitate community engagement.
The contract, which runs through December 2026, provides up to $50,000 for research, stakeholder convenings, and the development of a final report and policy recommendations.
The study is designed to examine a range of economic and social factors, including:
- Variations in cost of living across the county
- Impacts on workers, employers, and different industry sectors
- Effects on employment levels and business viability
- Considerations for rural communities and border economies
- Implications for public services, including healthcare and childcare
- Methods for setting and adjusting a local minimum wage
At the core of the project is a series of interactive, in-person convenings that will bring together workers, employers, researchers, and community organizations to share information and perspectives. These discussions will inform a final report and potential legislative options for county consideration.
Local data underscores the importance of this work. According to research supporting the study, approximately half of wage earners in Tompkins County earn less than the locally calculated living wage, currently $24.82 per hour for a single adult without children, while a significant portion earn close to the current minimum wage.
“The goal of this process is not to begin with conclusions, but to build understanding,” said County Administrator Korsah Akumfi. “We are taking a thoughtful, data-driven, and community-centered approach to ensure that we fully understand the potential impacts, both positive and challenging, of a countywide minimum wage.”
All convenings will be open to the public, and materials, summaries, and findings will be made available on the county website tcgov.co/minwage to ensure transparency throughout the process.