The Tioga County REAP Zone was established in 1999 when Congressman Hinchey negotiated a Memorandum of Agreement with the USDA to establish its rural development initiative in the region, in response to our area’s severe economic downturn caused by federal cutbacks in the Department of Defense.  Tioga County also established the Tioga County REAP Zone LLC, a non-profit 501(c)3 entity that partners with Tioga County to seek and secure external funds for economic and community development projects. As one of five REAP Zones in the United States, priority consideration is given for applications submitted by Tioga County for funding through USDA Rural Development.

Tioga County REAP serves all 15 municipalities in Tioga County.  REAP has worked to build strong partnerships with area municipalities as well as agencies such as Tioga County Economic Development & Planning, Tioga Opportunities, the Tioga County Industrial Development Agency, and Southern Tier 8 Regional Board.

REAP has partnered in several studies to benefit Tioga County (TC) as a whole, including the TC Housing Strategy Action Plan, the TC Open Access Fiber Optic Network Feasibility Study and Business Plan, the TC Code Enforcement Feasibility Study, and the TC Workforce Development Pipeline Strategy.  Additionally,

Tioga County REAP continues to administer grants for small businesses and organizations that have positively impacted communities throughout Tioga County.