IC News

A CNN story about how the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating economic impact on college towns featured an interview with Ithaca College President Shirley M. Collado. The story focused on how the absence of students from the Ithaca community has hurt local businesses. 

National correspondent Athena Jones noted that IC’s announcement about bringing students back to campus for in-person instruction on October 5 gives those businesses some reason to hope.  

“Given where we are in this state at the epicenter of the coronavirus and all we have to do to get ready, October for us seemed like the right decision to make for our students and their families,” said Collado. “This will all be pending state guidelines and the governor’s approval for us to actually open.”  

Heather Lane, MBA ’10, owner of local mainstay Purity Ice Cream, said her business is doing only 15% of its normal sales. “We call it the ‘coronacoaster’; it’s terrible,” said Lane. “Worst case is I have to close and Purity Ice Cream since 1936 is no longer, and that would suck.” 

CNN also interviewed Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick about the economic impact of Ithaca College, Cornell and Tompkins Cortland Community College closing during COVID-19. “Our entire region has been supported by these three colleges,” said Myrick. “These college towns are economic engines for regions throughout the country, and the engine has just stalled out. The federal government can jumpstart these engines.”