About the Ithaca Downtown Partnership

The Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District (DIBID), is a State of New York chartered not-for-profit organization charged with the revitalization, development, promotion and management of downtown Ithaca.

The Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District has adopted the following vision statement to guide its work and operation:

“Downtown Ithaca is the economic, social, and cultural heart of Tompkins County. The Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District  will strive to preserve and develop the central downtown core as the region’s center for banking and finance, business and professional offices, government and community services, downtown residences, and as a retail destination highlighted by specialty shops, restaurants, arts and entertainment. Downtown serves people who live and work downtown, city and county residents, college communities, area visitors and tourists”.

  • Founded in 1997 as the Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District.
  • The DIBID is governed by a 22 member Board of Directors. (see attached list-link). There are 19 voting members and 3 non-voting ex-officio members:
    • 3 City representatives
    • 1 County representative
    • 10 property owners
    • 1 residential tenant
    • 4 commercial tenants
    • 1 Cornell University representative (Ex Officio)
    • 1 Ithaca College representative (Ex Officio)
    • 1 Chamber of Commerce representative (Ex Officio)
  • The DIBID is currently registered and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)6 not-for-profit organization. Tax exempt donations can be made to a special Downtown Fund managed by the Community Foundation of Tompkins County.
  • The DIBID operates with the following staff:
    • A full-time Executive Director (Gary Ferguson)
    • A full-time Retail Director (Jim Tull)
    • A full-time Community Events Coordinator (VIcki Taylor)
    • A full-time Office Manager (Phil White)
  • Interns are an important part of the DIBID program. For-credit internship opportunities are usually available for students interested in marketing, special events and/or business development. Contact the DIBID office at (607) 277-8679 or phil@downtownithaca.com for details.
  • The Downtown Ithaca Business Improvement District  is a comprehensive downtown revitalization and management program engaged in four principal areas:
    • Business Retention & Development
    • Marketing & Membership Services
    • Government Relations & Environmental Infrastructure
    • Special Events
  • Business Retention & Development includes:
    • Strategic Planning
    • Business Recruitment & Attraction
    • Business Retention
    • Business Expansion
    • Provide One-on-One Business Technical Assistance
    • Business Start-Up Assistance
    • Project Development & Facilitation
    • Key Property Revitalization
  • Marketing & Membership Services includes:
    • Image Marketing
    • Student Marketing
    • Conventioneer Marketing
    • Tourism Marketing
    • Regional Marketing
    • Merchant Communications & Liaison
    • Web Site
    • Downtown Dollars Program
    • Annual Dinner
    • Holiday Marketing
  • Government Relations & Environment includes:
    • Ambassador Program
    • Clean/Landscaping Supplemental Service
    • Safety & Security
    • Art in the Heart of the City
    • Holiday Decorations
    • Parking
    • Banners
    • City MOU
  • Community Special Events includes:
    • Winter Fest/Chili Cook-Off
    • Ithaca Festival Craft Show
    • Summer Concert Series
    • Apple Harvest Festival
    • Holiday Parade of Ice
  • Each year the DIBID prepares a work plan and budget to support these and other activities.
  • The DIBID has prepared and approved a “Downtown Ithaca Ten-Year Development Strategy”. This strategic plan provide the blueprint and guidelines for downtown development from 2000 – 2010. Each annual work plan addresses a portion of this strategic plan.