Niagara County, NTCC ink 3-year tourism promotion deal

Terms of pact include outside review of agency's operations

Niagara County lawmakers approved a three-year pact Tuesday with the Niagara Tourism and Convention Corp., the publicly funded tourism promotion agency operated under a joint agreement between the county and the cities of Lockport and Niagara Falls.

Under the terms of the agreement, Niagara County has renewed the NTCC's status as the designated tourism promotion agency for the county and its two city partners, while the NTCC has agreed to fund a formal review of its operations and its tourism efforts by an outside consultant selected by the county.

Minutes prior to the ratification of the deal by county lawmakers, NTCC CEO John Percy and Niagara County Legislature Chairman William L. Ross, C-Wheatfield, met in Ross's Niagara County Courthouse offices and reviewed final contract documents drawn up by attorneys for both sides.

"We're glad to be moving forward with an accord that addresses the need for some independent oversight and review of the NTCC's programs while giving them the long-term stability they need to engage in serious tourism promotion of our region," Ross said after shaking Percy's hand.

County lawmakers fast-tracked the deal to have it in place ahead of the summer tourism season.