Cortland council adopts resolution to create economic and community development manager position

The Cortland City Council on May 20 approved Resolution R-21-25, creating the position of economic and community development manager and establishing the position's essential duties and functions. The resolution was submitted by the mayor and carried after a roll call vote.

Supporters told the council the position would be a strategic investment to attract and retain businesses and to help revitalize corridors such as West Main. "Hiring a dedicated economic developer is the single most strategic move Cortland can make to attract business here," said Michelle Anginee, a commercial real estate advisor who identified her address for the record.

The nut graf: Council members moved and seconded the resolution at the meeting; a public commenter with experience in commercial real estate argued the role would unlock grant and capital-investment opportunities and serve as a central contact for business inquiries. The council completed a roll call after discussion and approved the resolution.

Council discussion at the meeting focused on formal approval; no amendments to the resolution text were presented in the recorded discussion. Public comment emphasized the candidate profile and the position's potential to support long-term economic resilience for families and businesses.

The resolution now formally creates the job classification and its stated duties; the transcript does not specify an implementation timeline or hiring date. City staff and council did not provide a funding breakdown tied to the new position in the recorded discussion.

The mayor submitted the resolution as a continuation of a motion from the April 21 meeting; the record here shows the council completed the second action and adopted the resolution at this meeting. The council did not identify a start date or a specific budget line in the recorded remarks.