NYPA, Canal Corp. announce awards to upstate municipalities through Round XIV of Regional Economic Development Council

Grants will support capital projects along state’s canal system; full list of awardees available here

New York Power Authority Press Release

The New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corp. announced eight upstate municipalities have been awarded approximately $1 million in grants from the Canal Corp. through round XIV of the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative. Since its inception, the REDC initiative has identified and invested in significant economic development projects, revitalizing communities and businesses across the state.

“The original Erie Canal was the catalyst for the establishment of many upstate New York communities that adjoin its waters and the waters of today’s New York state canal system,” New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said. “As we commemorate the Erie Canal’s bicentennial this year, these same communities are now inspiring us to find new and creative ways to engage with our waterways and trails. Providing funding for these entities to pursue innovative projects to continue connecting with the canals is a way that we can keep the entire corridor vibrant for decades to come.”

New York State Canal Corp. Director Brian U. Stratton said, “Providing funding for these eight transformative projects is an effective way to ensure the canal system remains a vibrant contributor to New York state’s fabric. For nearly 200 years, our canals have served as an economic engine for many communities, and these grants will help position them well for the future, by creating projects that improve accessibility and quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”

The grants will support improvement projects in communities across the New York State Canal System, which will promote recreation, economic development and tourism through investment in the functionality and beautification of areas surrounding the canal and canalway trails.

This year, the Canal Corp. awards will support the following projects:

•$150,000 awarded to the City of Tonawanda for the Erie Canal Waterfront Enhancement and Dock Restoration Project – The City of Tonawanda will implement a transformative enhancement to its canal waterfront and downtown area by replacing the city's current boating docks located in proximity to Gateway Harbor Park. The new floating dock system will replace outdated, inadequate, and hazardous docks while meeting the critical need for safer, handicap-accessible docking amid growing boater traffic. The project will also upgrade and expand existing electric services for moored boaters.

•$150,000 awarded to the Town of Macedon for the Gravino Park Accessible Playground Project – The Town of Macedon will construct an expansive and inclusive new playground in Gravino Park. The construction of the playground will take place amid a transformative renovation to the park that focuses on renovations to existing amenities, the upgrade and installation of new park amenities, and connectivity improvements that aim to enhance the park’s connection to the Erie Canal while making it more accessible to pedestrians.

•$74,150 awarded to the Village of Middleport for the Floating Dock Rehabilitation and Waterfront Amenity Improvement Project – The Village of Middleport aims to increase public waterfront access by enhancing several boater dock amenities along the Erie Canal. The impacted dock space is located on the south side of the Erie Canal just west of the Main Street lift bridge and encompasses more than 700 linear feet of waterfront. The project improvements will consist of upgraded electrical service and new pedestal-mounted connection boxes to give boaters the option of 50-amp and 30-amp connections, new potable water service to serve each boater tie-up location, and the installation of various amenities such as new concrete pads for picnic tables, exterior light fixtures, and landscaping improvements.

•$75,000 awarded to Orleans County for the Holley Canal Falls Park Playground Project – Orleans County, in partnership with the Village of Holley, will construct a new ADA-accessible playground at Holley Canal Falls Park. The park is currently host to a variety of amenities including a waterfall that is sourced from the Erie Canal, and this new accessible playground will be an important amenity to help support quality of life for residents, neighboring communities, and those who boat, bike or walk the Erie Canal and Canalway Trail.

•$150,000 awarded to City of Syracuse for the Syracuse Inner Harbor Safety Improvement Project – The City of Syracuse will make a series of safety improvements in the Syracuse Inner Harbor adjacent to the historic Erie Canal and Erie Canalway Trail. Specific improvements will include the installation of new lighting and safety railings around a portion of the harbor. The Syracuse Inner Harbor has become the center of numerous major festivals and events in recent years, and these improvements are designed to support future programming and recreational activities by enhancing safety and accessibility for all community members.

•$150,000 awarded to the Lockport Locks Heritage District Corp. for the Erie Canal Flight of Five Bridge and Lock Rehabilitation Project – The Lockport Locks Heritage District Corp. will restore and rehabilitate three pedestrian bridges, and a historic Erie Canal lock located within the Flight of Five Locks. The Flight of Five Locks are located on the Erie Canal in the heart of downtown Lockport's tourism district, and these improvements will greatly enhance the area aesthetically while also providing additional accessibility and enhanced safety for residents and visitors.

•$150,000 awarded to the Village of Clyde for the Floating Dock and Erie Canal Access Improvement Project – The Village of Clyde will perform a series of upgrades to existing docks located at Lauraville Landing Park along the south side of the Erie Canal. Upgrades will include improved water and electric service, ADA-compliant ramps and gangways, and an enlarged plaza with benches and picnic tables. These upgrades will enhance recreational opportunities, improve the experience for residents and visitors, and benefit local businesses that rely on tourism and visitation from those traveling on and along the Erie Canal.

•$85,000 awarded to the Town of Halfmoon for the Crescent Park Blue and Green Trailhead Improvement Project – The Town of Halfmoon will renovate an existing parking lot and trailhead adjacent to the Erie Canal in the Town's Crescent Park. The project includes the design and installation of a paved parking lot and extension of an existing paved shared use trail that connects to the park’s kayak launch site. These renovations aim to minimize maintenance needed to repair potholes and erosion from stormwater runoff and help preserve the structural integrity of the existing bulkhead by reducing bank erosion. The renovated parking lot will also allow for better access to the park’s facilities by creating more ADA-compliant pathways for pedestrians and bikers.

Funding for this program was included in round XIV of the Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. The REDC process continues to support and empower regional stakeholders in developing strategic plans and funding priorities that meet local economic needs. Regional councils reviewed projects from this program and provided scores that reflect how well a project aligns with a region’s goals and strategies. Applicants utilized the New York’s consolidated funding application, the state’s single application for state resources, which includes programs for numerous agencies. It is designed to provide expedited and streamlined access to a combined pool of grant funds and tax credits from dozens of existing programs.

A full list of round XIV awards that have been made can be found here.

The consolidated funding application was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. Learn more about the CFA here.

The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of the state's approach to state investment and economic development. In 2011, 10 Regional Councils were established to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. Learn more at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

New York’s Canal system includes four historic canals: the Erie, Champlain, Oswego and Cayuga – Seneca. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. The canals connect hundreds of unique and historic communities across upstate New York.

The New York State Canal Corp. is a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority. “Like” Canals on Facebook at NYS Canal Corporation Follow Canals on X/Twitter at @NYSCanalCorp.