Over the past six years, Trish Ottley Riter has earned more than $3 million. But she hasn't seen a penny of it herself.

That's because the funds are grants - for everything from farmers' markets to records storage centers - that Riter secured through her work with the Cayuga County Department of Planning and Economic Development.

Such work helped Riter, currently a community development planner, land the position of planning director to fill the soon-to-be vacated seat of her retiring boss, David Miller. Her first day as director is Jan. 1.

“It's going to be a challenge, but it's an exciting challenge,” said Riter, 31, an Auburn native. “Pretty much since I started here I've had a key to the office building and have come in on weekends.

“My life has been my work since I started because I enjoy what I do.”

Riter began working on planning issues in Cayuga County in 1999 as an intern for the city of Auburn's office of planning and economic development.

The following year, she moved to the county planning office to be a grants coordinator, a role in which she helped municipalities establish an Internet presence.

The experience introduced her to local leaders and allowed her to better understand the community, tools that came in handy as Riter progressed from an entry-level planning position to her current role.

In addition to her willingness to be flexible and accommodating, Miller said Riter's ability to collaborate with people is one of her main strengths.

“You respond to the needs that local communities have,” Riter said.

Town and village officials who have worked with Riter talk of her determined work ethic.

“She works a lot faster than the average rabbit does,” said Ledyard supervisor Bill Dugan.

Riter has made several appearances at planning board meetings, Dugan said. She attended public hearings that helped the town envision what it wants for the future and later secured a $15,500 grant with information garnered from a survey the town sent out.

Fair Haven Mayor Bill McVea was also full of praise for Riter, who obtained a $600,000 grant for the village's sewer project.

She also helped McVea complete a village income survey, which involved going door to door throughout the village. The results can be used to apply for future grants, McVea said.

“She is extremely helpful and very professional,” McVea said. “She really knows her business. I think it's just her personality that enables her to work so easily with people.”

In addition to her grant writing and legwork with towns and villages, Riter helps coordinate the county Farmland Protection Program, is active with initiatives concerning the Erie Canal and is involved in the revitalization of main street areas in several municipalities.

She worked to get the Main Street program up and running in Union Springs, where she is currently chair of the planning board.

Other municipalities, including Port Byron and Moravia, are in various stages of revitalizing their centers.

“The key in planning is to stick to the vision and move forward,” Riter said of her persistence with a number of different projects.

Riter is looking forward to the new year, when she will take over for Miller, who has been with the planning department for 30 years. Miller leaves her with very capable and dedicated employees, Riter said.

She also has the benefit of having Jon Christopher, the county's first senior director of economic development, though Riter still plans to be very much involved with development and industry issues.

Riter was officially appointed as director Oct. 25 by a vote of 13-2 in the county Legislature. Auburn Democrats Bill Catto and Michael Lepak voted against the appointment.

Catto said that he wasn't sure the planning committee had conducted as extensive a search as it should have.

Riter might not have the right educational background and range of experience to fill the director position quite yet, Catto said.

Riter said that she respects the fact that everyone has their own opinions and is interested in working with all members of the Legislature.

With her past experience managing project budgets, she is confident in her ability to handle the department's finances and looks forward to building a relationship with the legislators and with Auburn's planning office.

For the next few months, this Cornell University graduate student - she's pursuing a degree in community and rural development - will use Miller's lead to plan for her own future.

“I'm going to use every minute over the next two months to work as close as I possibly can with Dave,” Riter said.

“It's big shoes to fill.”

Biographical breakdown

Name: Trish Ottley Riter

Age: 31

Education: Cornell University, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (working on master's in community and rural development); SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry (bachelor of science, environmental policy and management); Cayuga Community College (associate of science and math)

Work experience: Currently the community development planner in Cayuga County Planning Department, planner for four years, grants coordinator for six months; has also worked with Auburn's planning and economic development office, The Nature Conservancy and M. Ottley Mortgage Corp.

Family: married to Jim Riter

Bringing back bucks

Riter has helped to secure more than $3 million in grants, including funding for these projects:

Cayuga County 911 Phase II Wireless Initiative: more than $1.2 million

Cayuga County Sewer District No. 2: $600,000

Town of Victory Water District No. 2: $400,000

Union Springs Main Street Rehabilitation: $360,000

Route 90 Scenic Byway Visitor Center Project: $74,500

Cato Trailblazers Trail Groomer Proposal: $72,000

Locke Farmers Market Site Improvement Project: $22,175

Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net