NYS Canal Corp. to support tourism, events with grants

Accepting applications through mid-November.

WATERFORD — Counties, municipalities, local-government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribes located within the Erie Canalway corridor can submit applications for grant funding through Nov. 15. The New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor are offering competitive grant funding to support tourism, recreation, and events along the New York State Canal System including canal waterways and Canalway Trail. Applications for infrastructure projects located on land owned by the New York State Canal Corporation are open only to federal/state/local governments, unless a nonprofit applicant is currently named as a permittee on an existing Canal Corporation use and occupancy permit. The grant program includes two funding categories: event support, with an award range of $500 to $3,000; and tourism infrastructure and amenity support, with an award range of $5,000 to $24,000. Applicants may apply for one or both categories. Interested applicants are invited to attend a virtual information session on Oct. 16 at 10 a.m., per the announcement. As New York State commemorates the bicentennial of the Erie Canal in 2025, the grants program will emphasize infrastructure and amenity improvements that boost tourism, and events that commemorate the canal’s 200th anniversary or expand the audience of canal users, the organizations said. “As we approach the Erie Canal’s 200th birthday, the Tourism Infrastructure and Events Program is a fantastic way for communities and organizations to join in the commemoration of this milestone,” Brian U. Stratton, director of the New York State Canal Corporation, said in the announcement. “The Canal Corporation is proud to be working on this impactful program with the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor for another year as we help the municipalities and stakeholders that line the Canal’s banks bring their ideas to life. I can’t wait to see what this year brings.” “We look forward to supporting community investments in infrastructure and amenities that prepare the canal corridor for its next century of service,” Bob Radliff, executive director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, said. “Equally important, event support is critical for commemorating the Erie Canal’s 200th year and contributing to a thriving and vibrant waterway.” This year, 43 nonprofit organizations and municipalities received NYS Canal System tourism infrastructure and event grants totaling $196,349. The grants supported eight tourism infrastructure and amenity improvements and 36 events. For details, information-session registration, and an online application, those interested can visit: www.eriecanalway.org/resources/grants/.