The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency voted to designate Historic Ithaca Incorporated and Greater Ithaca Activity Center Incorporated as community-based development organizations (CBDOs) for 2025, a status the agency said preserves an exemption from a 15% funding cap that otherwise applies to public-service grant recipients.

Carl, the staff presenter, told the agency that staff had reviewed both organizations against the designation tests and recommended redesignation. “The primary advantage for the agencies that apply for this designation is there's an exemption from the 15% funding cap that otherwise would apply to public service, grant recipients,” he said, noting both organizations had previously received the designation and were reapplying for 2025.

Historic Ithaca was described as running a job-placement program serving some of the community’s most vulnerable residents. The agency said staff determined the group met the tests required for designation and moved the resolution; Donna seconded the motion. The resolution passed unanimously, 5–0.

Similarly, staff recommended redesignation of Greater Ithaca Activity Center Incorporated (referred to in the meeting materials as GEC Inc.) for its hospitality employment training program, which includes a job-placement component — a requirement for the designation. Carl moved the resolution, Donna seconded, and the agency approved the designation 5–0.

Staff noted that organizations must apply each year even when they have been previously designated; the agency treats each year’s action as a new designation after staff review.

The designations allow the two organizations to receive public-service grant funding without being counted toward the 15% cap under the agency’s allocation framework, according to staff remarks in the meeting transcript.

The agency recorded both votes as unanimous approvals; no amendments or conditions were recorded in the public discussion.