A new competitive grant program seeks to support tourism and recreation along the New York State Canal System, including canal waterways and the Canalway Trail.
The 2022 program will provide funding to support tourism infrastructure and amenity improvements, and events.
The New York State Canal Corporation — through the “Reimagine the Canals” initiative — and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor are organizing the grant program.
The funding is open to counties, municipalities, units of local government, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes.
“The Canal Corporation is proud to fund and partner with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in launching this new grant program that aims to grow unique recreation and tourism experiences along New York’s iconic Canal system,” Brian Stratton, director of the New York State Canal Corporation, said in a release. “This funding will continue to make opportunities along the canals more exciting and accessible for visitors and we look forward to providing this support in an effort to improve experiences while promoting the connectivity between our historic waterways, trails, and canalside communities.”
The grant program includes two funding categories: event support, with an award range between $500 and $15,000; and tourism infrastructure & amenity support, with an award range from $5,000 to $24,000. Applicants may apply for one or both categories.
“We look forward to bringing many innovative ideas and exciting events to life through these grants,” Bob Radliff, executive director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, said. “Combining federal, state, and local resources in support of community-based projects and events will benefit residents and visitors to New York’s iconic canals.”
Potential applicants can find details at www.eriecanalway.org/resources/grants/.
The application period opens Feb. 22 and they’re due April 1. A virtual question-and-answer session is set for March 3 at 10 a.m. Registration details will be posted on the same website.
About the New York State Canal Corporation
The New York State Canal Corporation, a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority, oversees the operation and promotion of the state’s canal system. The Canal Corporation says it works to “operate and maintain a premier waterway and trail system that honors the historic legacy of the Erie Canal and offers unique recreational and tourism opportunities, while also promoting sustainable economic development throughout the canal corridor.”
About the Erie Canalway
The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor works to “preserve the nation’s canal heritage, promote the corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and foster vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway,” per the news release.
It works in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State agencies, nonprofit organizations, local residents, and more than 200 communities across upstate New York.