The Finger Lakes Region was called the "Western Door" by the Seneca Indians who inhabited the area before the Europeans. Today the region has defined itself as an area rich in history and natural beauty, as well as a center for technological development and innovation.

There is a strong base of research at top universities and colleges involved in groundbreaking fields like biotech, software development, and telecommunications. Hi-tech companies are growing here at a rapid pace, representing a $280 million export industry. Software, biotech, electronics and testing services are leading the way.

Research activity at Ithaca's Cornell University is one reason why. Coupled with support from New York State and Tompkins County's public and private sectors, major growth is constant.

Whether it is a hike through the woods to a waterfall, a stroll along the Cayuga Lake Waterfront Trail, or world-class concerts, recreational activities are diverse and abundant in Ithaca and throughout Tompkins County. Located in the heart of the Finger Lakes Region, the area offers quiet country inns, over 140 restaurants, 70-plus regional wineries, quaint and historic villages, and a dynamic city center. Ithaca was designated "America's Most Enlightened City.”

Other Finger Lakes highlights include the destination village of Skaneateles (Skan-ee-atlas). The name is an Iroquois word meaning long lake, and it's just that: a 16-mile stretch of one of the cleanest lakes in the country. The Skaneateles area is home to a thriving residential and business community, and host to thousands of visitors and vacationers each year. Some of the companies located here include Welch Allyn, one of the world's major manufacturers of medical equipment, and Hand Held Products, a global leader in the design and manufacture of image-based data collection solutions.

Just a stone's throw from Skaneateles, you'll find Auburn, which celebrated the bicentennial of its founding in 1993. Auburn is a community of comfortable, quiet neighborhoods, historic homes and a wide variety of cultural institutions. American historical sites such as Harriet Tubman’s and William Seward's home are located in Auburn. Watching a baseball game at Falcon Park can make you believe the local rumor that Abner Doubleday may have started baseball here.

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