"Sustaining New York Communities in Times of Financial Crisis," a conference sponsored by Cornell University's Community and Rural Development Institute, will be held at the Wyndham Syracuse Hotel, East Syracuse, N.Y., May 15 and 16.

The conference will highlight some of the best practices for sustaining communities during times of financial stress.

In the opening plenary session, May 15 at 1 p.m., Joseph H. Boardman, commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation, will talk on "High-Speed Rail Passenger Service and Its Relationship to Community and Economic Development."

Also on the two-day program:

• "Three Trends Reshaping New York's Future: An Aging Population, Legalized Gambling and Disadvantaged Communities," a panel discussion on the state's future;
• "Jump-Starting Development in your Community," which explains how to use immigration as a catalyst for development;
• "Local Government Reform for Regional Development: Consolidate or Tinker?" a discussion on one solution to resolving municipal financial stress;
• "Maximizing Campus-Community Partnerships," how local governments can team up with colleges and universities;
• "Big Boxes and Main Street," how local business can compete with larger retailers.

For the complete program, go to: http://www.cardi.cornell.edu/events/03stoc/agenda.cfm.

Registration for the full conference is $125. Registration for May 15 only is $75 and for May 16 only is $70. The deadline for registration is May 1.

To register online, go to: http://www.cardi.cornell.edu/events/03stoc/confreg.cfm . For further information, call Sylvia Moravia at (607) 255-9510 or e-mail her at sdm9@cornell.edu .