Canal communities urged to seek grants for events to celebrate 200th anniversary

Photos by Tom Rivers: A canal boat is docked in Holley on Sunday afternoon with the lift bridge in the background.

Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

WATERFORD – 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 are open now through Nov. 15.

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.

Funding is open to counties, municipalities, units of local government, nonprofit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes located within the Canalway Corridor. 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.

New York State Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton 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. 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.”

The grant program includes two funding categories: Event Support, with an award range of $500 to $3,000, and Tourism Infrastructure & 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 Wednesday, October 16, at 10 a.m.

Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor said, “We look forward to supporting community investments in infrastructure and amenities that prepare the canal corridor for its next century of service. Equally important, event support is critical for commemorating the Erie Canal’s 200th year and contributing to a thriving and vibrant waterway.”

In 2024, 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, Q&A registration, and online application, visit: www.eriecanalway.org/resources/grants/