Community invited to final Countywide Minimum Wage Study convening

Published on August 06, 2026

Tompkins County is inviting residents to participate in the final public convening of its Countywide Minimum Wage Study, where consultants from the Cornell ILR Ithaca Co-Lab will present highlights of the study's findings and gather final public questions and comments before the report is presented in full to the Tompkins County Legislature.

The convening will take place Thursday, August 27, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the BorgWarner Community Room at Tompkins County Public Library, 101 East Green Street, Ithaca. The event is free and open to the public. Residents are encouraged to register in advance with this registration link.

Throughout the spring and summer, the study team hosted a series of community convenings focused on workers, businesses, the care economy, youth employment, public benefits, and other stakeholder groups. Those conversations, combined with research and economic analysis, informed the final report now being presented to the community.

"This final convening is an opportunity to close the loop with the community," said Greg Mezey, Chair of the Legislature’s Housing and Economic Development Committee. "We've heard from residents, employers, researchers, and community organizations throughout this process. Before the report moves to the Legislature, we want to ensure the public has an opportunity to hear the findings, ask questions, and provide any final feedback."

The presentation will include an overview of the study's key findings followed by a question-and-answer session with members of the Cornell ILR Ithaca Co-Lab research team. Light refreshments will be provided. Childcare assistance can also be arranged for those who need it; community members are encouraged to indicate that need when registering.

The Tompkins County Legislature authorized the study to evaluate the potential economic and community impacts of establishing a countywide minimum wage above the New York State minimum wage. Conducted by the Cornell ILR Ithaca Co-Lab, the project examined topics including cost of living, impacts on workers and employers, effects across industries, rural and border communities, and implications for public services.

After the August 27 community presentation, the consultants will formally present the report to the Legislature's Housing and Economic Development Committee on September 2, followed by a presentation to the full Tompkins County Legislature on September 15. These presentations will provide legislators with the opportunity to review the findings and consider potential next steps.

Project information, background materials, and updates are available on the Tompkins County Minimum Wage Study webpage: tcgov.co/minwage.