Cortland County Participatory Budgeting

1. Process Design: We are partnering with a consultant and community leaders to create the rules and engagement plan.
2. Brainstorm Ideas: Through meetings and online tools, residents will share and discuss ideas for projects.
3. Develop Proposals: Groups of volunteers will develop the ideas into feasible proposals.
4. Vote: Volunteers vote on the proposals that most serve the community’s needs.
5. Fund Winning Project: The Community Foundation will fund the winning idea(s) with a pool of $75,000 in grant dollars.

CORTLAND COUNTY – SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

SESSION 4: Cortland County Chooses: Voting & Winner Announcement Event

Thursday, August 20th

• In-Person | 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Location: Center for the Arts, Homer (72 S Main St, Homer NY 13077)
• LINK TO REGISTER

Agenda:
5-6pm: Voting Hours
6-7pm – Celebration Night (food, fun, and connection)
7pm – Winner Announced

Join us for:

• Complimentary refreshments
• A showcase of all proposal presentations
• Voting polls open at the Center for the Arts of Homer or online polls will be open from 9am-7pm
• The live announcement of the $75,000 winning proposal at the end of the evening!

THE POLLS ARE OPEN and the Central New York Community Foundation is inviting Cortland County residents to help decide how $75,000 will be invested in their communities through the final voting phase of its participatory budgeting initiative, part of the Community Foundation’s centennial celebration

VOTING DAY INFORMATION

• Online voting is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and in-person from 5-7:00 p.m.at the Center for the Arts of Homer, located at 72 S Main St in Homer, NY
• Voters must be a Cortland County resident aged 14 years or older.

The nonprofit organizations’ projects that will be presented are:

1. Cortland Area Chamber of Commerce

Parker Early Childhood Education Center and Community Hub Development

The Cortland Area Chamber Foundation requests support for a Project Professional who will lead planning, feasibility, and fundraising to transform the former Parker Elementary School into an Early Childhood Education Center and community hub. The Center will initially serve about 100 children, with capacity to expand to 150. The professional will oversee planning, budgeting, fundraising, partnerships, and licensing.

2. Cortland Collective Impact Initiatives

Expand school aged care and increase homebased childcare for infants

Cortland Collective Impact Initiatives proposes expanding inclusive childcare and enrichment for school-aged children while increasing access to infant care, at their new community space The Hub. The project would expand summer, after-school, and school-break programming, including tutoring and STEAM activities. It would also create an incubator for new home-based childcare providers, offering business training, certification support, shared resources, and microgrants to help overcome barriers to providing care

3. Lime Hollow Nature Center (LHNC)

Nature-Based Childcare and Professional Development at the Lime Hollow Nature Center

Lime Hollow Nature Center proposes expanding access to affordable childcare and nature-based learning for children and families in Cortland County. The project would provide tuition assistance for its Forest Preschool, transportation to after-school programming for school-age children, and professional development for local childcare providers. Funding would help create and sustain childcare spots while making programs more accessible to families facing financial and transportation barriers.

4. Cortland County Family YMCA 

More Room to Bloom: Bridging the Gap in Childcare Availability In Cortland County

The Cortland County Family YMCA proposes expanding access to childcare in response to the closure of SUNY Cortland’s Early Childcare Center. The project would create additional school-age programs, convert existing YMCA classrooms for younger children, and provide financial assistance to families. It would also support staff training and help residents learn how to establish in-home childcare programs, increasing the availability of quality care across Cortland County.

If you need transportation to and from the sessions please complete the registration form or contact mobility@cortlandcountyny.gov or 607-756-3416 or 607-758-5569