ALBION – The Main Street lift bridge has slowly been taken apart the past month with the stringers, beams and other pieces moved by crane to the north side of the Canal on land owned by the Canal Corp.

A bigger crane is expected on site later this week or early next week, with the trusses of the bridge to be moved for rehabilitation work. After next week there won’t be a bridge over the canal for the first time in more than a century.

The bridge closed to traffic on Nov. 14 and is getting a major overhaul over 18 months. Crane-Hogan Structural Systems in Spencerport is general contractor for the project on the bridge that was originally constructed in 1914.

The project includes:

• Replacing bridge decks and portions of the truss system with high-strength, galvanized steel.
• Modernizing mechanical and electrical components within the bridge’s lifting system.
• Rehabilitating the bridge towers.
• Installing new bridge rails.
• Repainting the bridge, maintaining its current shade of green.

When the work on the bridge is complete, the span will be moved back into place over the Canal, the state Department of Transportation said.

Crane-Hogan also will be doing a similar upgrade of the Main Street lift bridge in Brockport, with that one closing in early April. The company was awarded a contract for $28.3 million to rebuild the two bridges.

Gov. Kathy Hochul

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s State of the State speech this afternoon is being lauded for lofty goals, especially with proposals to expand mental health services, add housing throughout the state and combat crime. However, some legislators and organizations are concerned Hochul’s proposals may just be “rhetoric” and could lead to rising costs to live and do business in New York.

Here are some of the reactions:

New York Farm Bureau President David Fisher: “Gov. Hochul’s State of the State recognizes some of the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture, and her proposals to expand markets and tax credits are much appreciated.

“This includes a plan to make the investment tax credit refundable and increase state procurement of New York farm products. We also support efforts to expand urban agriculture in the state and shore up our workforce through job training and increased manufacturing. “However, labor costs continue to rise, putting increased pressure on our farms’ sustainability. New York Farm Bureau is concerned that a plan to boost the minimum wage will exacerbate that problem and further push up inflationary costs.

“Our farms depend on a strong economy, investment in critical agricultural programs, and reasonable regulations. New York Farm Bureau looks forward to working with the governor to build on today’s agenda and improve our agricultural and food system that benefits all New Yorkers.”

New York State Association of Counties President Michael E. Zurlo: “From strengthening public safety and mental health services, to increasing affordable housing and reversing decades of population loss, Governor Hochul’s State of the State address laid out an ambitious agenda to address issues that are of paramount importance to New York’s counties and the residents we serve.

“Counties are on the front lines of government, turning public policy into services that touch New Yorker’s lives. We look forward to working with Governor Hochul and the State Legislature in the coming months to turn the vision laid out today into effective solutions that will help New Yorkers afford to stay and raise their families in our communities, and live safer, healthier lives.”

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt: “Today’s State of the State speech by Governor Hochul follows the Senate Republicans’ call for a safer, stronger and more affordable New York. While the Governor echoed our themes, she ignored the stark reality that one-party, progressive policies have made New York less safe and less affordable. New Yorkers deserve action that matches the rhetoric.

“On issues like bail reform, mental health, housing and affordability, we hope the Governor will deliver real solutions for New Yorkers and ignore the hysterics from the progressive left.

“Unfortunately, the Governor’s speech included policies that will make life more difficult for struggling families and small businesses. Touting unachievable energy policies, new mandates on small business and state-driven housing policies will only drive up costs for overburdened New Yorkers, chasing out even more taxpayers and more jobs.

“As we continue to examine the full details of her proposals, my Senate Republican colleagues and I are ready to take action on common-sense policies that make New York safer, stronger, more affordable and more free.”

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy: “Governor Hochul just set out a vision that aims to make Rochester, the Finger Lakes, and all of New York State better, stronger, and safer.

“Among her efforts that we will actively support is the much-needed proposal to return authority to judges by eliminating the ‘least restrictive’ standard when it comes to serious crimes, increasing aid for and access to mental health treatment, and her efforts around reducing violence in our communities. Rochester and other communities throughout our state have been ravaged by crime and violence, and today the Governor offered commonsense steps that will result in improved public safety.

“Additionally, we are committed to helping the Governor in her efforts to ensure that our healthcare systems and nursing homes have the support they need to continue providing top quality care for patients like resolving antiquated rates, preventing extortionate wage demands, and alleviating crippling mandates.

“On making it more tenable to do business in New York State, we look forward to continuing our partnership with Governor Hochul and her administration to lessen the labyrinth of red tape and bureaucracy small businesses face. We should be making it less burdensome to start and grow a business, and we are committed to doing everything possible to retain, attract, and expand businesses in Greater Rochester.”

Assemblyman Steve Hawley, R,C-Batavia: “Speaking about issues is certainly different from acting on them. If Gov. Hochul wants change in New York, she will have to offer proposals that don’t just benefit her political base.

“It is my sincere hope she will work with us to fix their disastrous bail ‘reform’, resume the elimination of state sales tax on gasoline, and to pass our inflation relief bill that would slash taxes on home heating fuel and groceries.”

“Public safety and affordability of basic items are issues that affect New Yorkers daily. This year, I look forward to seeing whether Gov. Hochul takes strides to work with us in a bipartisan manner for the betterment of all New Yorkers.”

Assemblyman Mike Norris, R,C-Lockport: “New York’s population loss is a reality and it’s because of high taxes, a high cost of living and diminished quality of life. It’s great that the governor is finally listening to this message – for it’s been going on for far too long, especially in Western New York and rural communities across our state.

“However, more focus on real fiscal responsibility, protecting our community from criminals, and making long term commitments to rebuilding our basic infrastructure must be our focus. It’s time we get back to basics and focus on keeping New Yorkers here with their families.”

One Fair Wage’s President Saru Jayaraman: “We applaud Governor Hochul in her quest to index the $15 minimum wage in the Empire State to continue to rise with inflation, especially to support women and workers of color.

“But hundreds of thousands of tipped service workers in New York who are largely women and people of color have been excluded from the $15 wage and are fed up with low wages and poor working conditions on the restaurant industry. They must also be taken into consideration, particularly as the staffing crisis in New York continues.

“Unless wages go up statewide for tipped workers, thousands of workers will continue to organize and many more will continue to leave in droves. Governor Hochul, a former tipped worker herself, has called for ending the subminimum wage for tipped workers. She has the power to do so right now, and we call on her to take subminimum wage workers’ concerns seriously through a simple executive action. That’s the kind of leadership that New Yorkers need.”

New York State School Boards Association Executive Director Robert Schneider: “School boards are pleased to hear assurances from Gov. Kathy Hochul that public education will be an important part of her vision for a New York that provides a welcoming environment for families, individuals and employers.

“We thank the governor for her continued commitment to fully funding foundation aid, expanding full-day pre-kindergarten, and establishing new early college high school and P-TECH programs. All of these initiatives will greatly benefit our students.

“We look forward to working with the governor and the Legislature to set up a plan for the future of foundation aid. This includes conducting a costing out study to determine the true cost of providing an adequate education for all of the students of New York State, updating the components of the foundation aid formula as needed, and providing minimum required aid increases for districts that would otherwise be left out by the current version of the formula.

“We are encouraged by the governor’s support of reforms to make the property tax cap fair for all stakeholders – a priority for school boards – and we await more details about the governor’s commitment to providing the necessary continuum of mental health care for New Yorkers, including students. Her emphasis on school-based supports for students is a welcome recognition that educators want and need tools to help our students overcome mental health challenges so they can thrive academically and socially.

“In addition, as the session unfolds, we look forward to working with the governor as we advocate for a universal school meals program to ensure that all students are offered a nutritious breakfast and lunch each day. Healthy school meals are an important building block of student success.

“Based on our review of the governor’s initiatives for this legislative session, we anticipate a promising session for our public schools.”

Photo by Tom Rivers: Jason Tarnowski, pastor of the Albion Free Methodist Church, stands by an outdoor cabinet that has food for the community. People are welcome to take and leave food.

ALBION – The Albion Free Methodist Church started a new ministry last month where people are welcome to take or leave food in an outdoor cabinet by the entrance of the church at 25 South Platt St.

Church members Rick and Kim Holz came up with the idea to have the cabinet outside, and Mr. Holz constructed the wooden frame for the display.

Jason Tarnowski, pastor of the church since October 2021, said the food is available to anyone in the community. The church calls the cabinet the “Community of Hope Food Ministry.”

He said people from outside the church have been contributed food to the cabinet, including the Royal Body Shop Outreach Ministries. That church partnered with Arnold’s Auto Parts to stock an outdoor refrigerator with food at Arnold’s on West Bank Street. That refrigerator has been supplied with food since last March.

Tarnowski asks the attendees at the Free Methodist Church to bring non-perishable food on Sundays for the cabinet, or when they attend meetings mid-week.

The Free Methodist Church was founded in Albion in 1859 and is the oldest church in the denomination. Tarnowski said the congregation is committed to being relevant and serving the community.

Provided photo: Brian Marek, a contractor from Northtowns Remodeling Corp., speaks with students in the building trades program at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES.

Press Release, Orleans/Niagara BOCES

MEDINA – The Orleans Career and Technical Education Center students heard from architect Paul Lang from Carmina Wood Design who have worked on numerous buildings such as factory conversions to newly built structures for a variety of public, private and institutional clients.

His company has worked on some of our region’s most challenging historic preservation endeavors, with over 30 executed National Registry listed sites to their credit. He has studied and taught in Rome and Panama.

“Paul specializes in taking old buildings and creating new multiuse spaces,” Mr. Anastasi said. “He specializes in old factories and making them new green/sustainable products. He talked about the techniques they use to make them perform similar to a brand-new building, but still maintain the building’s character and façade. They use similar equipment and practices that my students use and are learning about as we apply these similarly to our projects in our classroom.”

Residential contractor Brian Marek, from Northtowns Remodeling Corp, talked to not only Mr. Anastasi’s class, but to Electricity/Electronics students in Bill Leggett’s class and Computer Technology students in Paul Herrmann class as well.

Mr. Marek works locally and specializes in kitchens and baths. He has over 30 years in the business of building and remodeling and home improvements. Their specialty is remodeling outdated homes.

Mr. Marek talked to the students about how he started out in a career and technical education class similar to theirs and how he started his business. He talked about being your own boss and different projects he worked on throughout his career. His son Robert Bass, a Silicon Valley software engineer, joined his father and discussed how he uses computer technology and social media to market their company.

“I am so appreciative of Mr. Lang and Mr. Marek taking time out of their busy schedules and talking to our students,” Mr. Anastasi said. “The students get a lot out of interacting with professionals in different fields and for some it inspires them to go down a certain path with their careers.”

MEDINA – The village election will be March 21 with voting from noon to 9 p.m. at the Senior Center, 615 West Ave.

The Village Board on Monday set the location, date and time for voting.

There will be two trustee positions up for election. Those spots are currently filled by Owen Toale and Jessica Marciano.

Toale said he isn’t seeking re-election after 12 years on the board. Marciano, who is finishing her first two-year term, said she will be running again.

Candidates for the board need to submit petitions signed by at least 100 eligible registered voters in the village. The petitions are due by Feb. 14 in the village office. Jan. 3 was the first day the petitions could be picked up at the village office.

The board on Monday also appointed four election inspectors. Judy Szulis will be chairwoman of the inspectors and be paid $15.50 an hour, while the other inspectors – Norma Huth, Linda Deyle and Mary Ann Ander – will be paid $14.50 an hour.

Press Release, Assemblyman Steve Hawley

Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia) invites non-profits to apply for a share of $5 million in grants that are available to organizations that serve veterans and their family members in order to make capital improvements.

This program is meant to improve and expand the services available to the state’s veterans and their families by upgrading facilities or building new ones. Funding for projects will range between $25,000 and $75,000. Funding will go toward design, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or expansion of eligible veterans’ facilities.

The Division of Veterans’ Services will host a webinar for program applicants on Thursday, Jan. 12, to outline the program and application process. Click here to view the webinar.

“Taking care of our veterans, who have protected our country with such courage, should always be a top priority to our state and our nation,” Hawley said. “I want all former military members to understand the services that are available to them. The Capital Program will allow non-profits to better address veterans’ issues throughout the state by having state-of-the-art facilities and resources. We must take care of these veterans because they have always been there to protect us.”

Press Release, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney    

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) issued the following statement after the Rules package for the 118th Congress passed the House by a vote of 220-213.

“This rules package is the first critical step in making good on our Commitment to America. It rolls back the authoritarian policies of Nancy Pelosi and returns power back to the people, where it belongs. The provisions in this rules package will ensure a more transparent, accountable, and effective government.

“All legislation should be read and adequately understood before being considered, which is why House rules now require a mandatory 72-hour review period before a bill is voted on. The rules package ends proxy voting, requiring all members of Congress to show up for work just like the American people do each day.

“Importantly, the rules package also re-establishes a super majority vote for any tax increase. After years of the Democrats’ inflation-fueling tax and spend agenda, this change will return fiscal sanity to Congress. I was honored to support this rules package and am eager to get to work on behalf of the American People.”

Some of the best provisions in the Rules package:

• Eliminates proxy voting;
• Requires in-person committee hearings and markups;
• Creates a more open and accessible amendment process so the voices and views of Members can be heard;
• Enacts a CUTGO rule to ensure there will be spending cuts to offset any increase in mandatory spending;
• Requires a supermajority vote for any tax increase
• Prohibits including instructions to raise the debt limit in a House budget resolution, budget reconciliation instructions, or a Budget Resolution Committee Report; and
• Includes a single subject requirement to ensure legislation is narrowly focused on the issue at hand.

Provided photo: State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt is surrounded by members of the Republican Conference at the Million Dollar Staircase in Albany.

Press Release, Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

ALBANY – The New York State Senate Republican Conference on Monday announced its “Rescue New York” 2023 legislative agenda.

The agenda includes a broad range of common-sense policies to reverse the alarming consequences of “One-Party Rule,” which conference says includes a drastic decline in public safety, a depleted workforce, high taxes, business-crippling regulations, record inflation and increased costs of goods and nation-leading population loss.

“Economic activity has decreased, crime has increased, and people are leaving our state in droves,” said Conference Leader Rob Ortt of North Tonawanda. “We continue to struggle with the economic aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with record inflation and increased costs on everything from groceries to gas and home heating fuels, but One-Party Rule continues to fail to address these important issues.”

The “Rescue New York” 2023 Legislative Agenda is a comprehensive plan to improve public safety, ease the financial burden on middle-class families and small business owners, and restore the quality of life in communities throughout New York State. Components of the Rescue New York plan focus on:

A Safer New York

• Restore common sense to our criminal justice system to prevent crime and protect New Yorkers;
• Increase efforts and investments to end the opioid and mental health epidemics; and
• Support and protect our seniors.

A Stronger New York

• Expand economic opportunity and strengthen our workforce;
• Invest in infrastructure for the 21st century; and
• Help our veterans and military families thrive.

A More Affordable New York

• Cut the Empire State’s highest-in-the-nation tax burden and control government spending;
• Reduce the cost of living for families and all residents;
• Improve New York’s worst-in-the-nation business climate; and
• Enact climate policies that ensure access to affordable, reliable, and clean energy.

A More Free New York

• Provide a high quality education to all students;
• Uphold the rights of New Yorkers; and
• Restore accountability in State government.

For more details on the “Rescue New York” agenda, click here.

“We must prioritize making New York safer, stronger, more affordable and more free for every resident,” Ortt said. “Our 2023 Rescue New York agenda addresses these critical areas and will help put our state back on the right path.”

MEDINA – The Village Board voted tonight to change the traffic light at the intersection of West Avenue and West Oak Orchard Street.

It will soon become a flashing red four-way stop. The village will add four stop signs at the intersection.

Residents at the meeting tonight spoke in a public hearing in favor of the four-way stop, saying the light is slow to change from red to green, and many vehicles speed up to get through the light and not have to wait.

Mat Mosher said traffic flows better at a nearby intersection that the village made a four-way stop. The board in October 2020 made Gwinn and West Oak Orchard a 4-way stop.

“There will be less speeding if they know they have to stop and not try to beat the light,” Mosher said.

Nancy Palmer also spoke at the hearing and urged the board to approve the four-way stop, saying many drivers try to avoid that intersection.

A letter from resident Gary Lamar urged the change. He lives near the intersection and said many motorists, including truck drivers, race through the intersection to avoid being stuck at the red light.

Board members said they expect traffic will flow easier in that part of the village. Some of the traffic in that area has been diverted since the school district put in a road linking the campus, drawing some vehicles off village streets.

Press Release, GOW Opioid Task Force

ALEXANDER – Diana Padilla, research project manager at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, Division of Substance Use Disorders, Columbia University Medical Center, will be the keynote speaker at a “Reducing Stigma in Our Communities” training in the Village of Alexander.

The session is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Alexander Recreation & Banquet Facility on Route 98.

Hosted by the GOW Opioid Task Force and Genesee County Health Department, the training is designed to help healthcare and social services professionals, as well as members of the general public, learn how to identify and address stigma surrounding opioid use disorder and improve access to services in the Genesee Region.

Padilla has worked in the field of behavioral health for more than 24 years. Her experience includes service provision to communities with substance use, HIV/HCV, trauma and stress, and other psychosocial conditions.

In her capacity as a research project manager, she develops curriculum and is a senior staff trainer for the Northeast & Caribbean Addiction/Prevention Technology Transfer Centers.

Using a cultural and recovery-oriented perspective, Ms. Padilla instructs on how to enhance strategies and interventions to best engage and meet the needs of substance using communities, LGBTQ+ people, diverse and other traditionally underserved populations.

Her areas of expertise include culturally and linguistically responsive services, trauma informed care, community disparities, racial stigma, social determinants of health, and affirming and inclusive best practices with clinical, non-clinical and peer support professionals.

Registration deadline for the free training is Jan. 12. Lunch will be provided. To register, click here.

KENDALL – The Town Board is giving the community a chance to comment on two proposed laws to regulate short-term rentals, such as Airbnbs and Vrbo.

The 7 p.m. hearing on Tuesday has been moved from the town hall to the Kendall Junior-Senior High School at 16887 Roosevelt Highway (Route 18).

The town is trying to regulate the short-term rentals after many complaints from neighbors of some of the sites. Neighbors have concerns about noise at night from parties, trespassing and garbage that isn’t picked up.

The town doesn’t want to allow any new short-term rentals in the waterfront districts north of the Lake Ontario State Parkway. The existing rentals, about 8 to 10, would be grandfathered in and could continue to operate.

Kendall is proposing an annual $1,000 annual licensing fee with the town, and wants to require those property owners have a $3 million liability insurance.

The Orleans County Planning Board last month voted against the proposed regulations, with some of the members saying Kendall went too far in the proposal and left some matters as too vague, such as what is the threshold for being too noisy.

The short-term rentals have become more popular since the start of the Covid pandemic, especially in 2020 and 2021 with many people from cities renting homes for weekend getaways.

Some of the highlights of the proposed laws in Kendall include:

• Kendall will continue to allow the pre-existing short-term rentals, but will prohibit them at a location if they are discontinued for six months.
• Transient occupancy considered when living or sleeping accommodation provided for compensation for less than 30 continuous calendar days
• No new transient or short-term rentals allowed in the waterfront districts, excluding bed and breakfasts which require a separate special use permit.
• All applications for a short-term rental license need to include site plans for the property with parking spaces, property lines, driveways and outdoor gathering areas, such as patios and decks.
• The town also wants to see floor plans containing the areas for transient space, a list of the owner(s) of the property as well as the manager with contact information, the number of permanent residents at the site (if any), the number of available parking spaces for transient use, a copy of the house rules provided to transients, and a list of neighbors within 150 feet of the property.
• The short-term rental owner needs to pay $1,000 to apply for the license and then $1,000 for each annual renewal.
• The town can enact penalties for violations that could include improper property maintenance – exposed garbage or litter on premises, failure to return trash containers to their storage location on the day of pickup, failure to maintain property or grounds in a neat and orderly fashion, parking vehicles in undesignated spots such as the lawn, parties that exceed the number of people authorized to be there in the license, failure to adhere to quiet hour restrictions between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., occurrence of excessive noise or nuisances at any other time, and occurrences of transients trespassing on other properties.
• A maximum of two people per sleeping or no more than 8 people total in the STR.
• No recreational vehicles, campers, trailers or motor vehicles larger than a one-ton pickup truck, other than trailers for boats or jet skis to be launched at nearby ramps.
• The locations used as rentals shall not have exterior signage indicating they are a rental. The short-term rentals “shall from all exterior indications be indistinguishable from any conventional dwelling.”
• Owners of the rentals need to provide proof to the town of general liability insurance of at least $3 million with respect to personal injury or death, and at least $300,000 with respect to property damage.
• The owner needs to provide proof to the town that the septic system is in good working order and has been pumped in the last three years (for sites not on a central sewer system.)
• Any violations can result in maximum fines of $3,000, with each continued violation a separate and additional offense.

AAA is reporting that the average price for regular unleaded is up 6 cents nationally to $3.28 a gallon.

In New York the average price for regular unleaded is at $3.452 a gallon today, compared to $3.395 a week ago, $3.638 a month ago and $3.485 a year ago. The diesel price in the state is at $5.319 today, compared to $5.326 a week ago, $5.670 a month ago and $3.730 a year ago.

In Orleans County, the average price is at $3.580 a gallon today, which is down slightly from the $3.584 a week ago.

The average prices in WNY counties includes:

• Orleans, $3.580
• Genesee, $3.310
• Livingston, $3.466
• Wyoming, $3.458
• Monroe, $3.455
• Niagara, $3.356
• Erie, $3.449
• Chautauqua, $3.613
• Cattaraugus, $3.527
• Allegany, $3.569

AAA issued this statement today about gas prices:

“The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline has increased by six cents. According to data from the Energy Information Administration, gas demand is on the rise amid milder weather. However, the current rate is lower than a year ago. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks fell. Tighter supply and higher gasoline demand are pushing pump prices higher. If demand remains robust and stocks remain tight, drivers could continue to see pump prices increase.”

ALBION – A new organization has formed to help local residents preserve the environment and reduce their carbon footprint.

Green Orleans will be leading a meeting on Jan. 26 about municipal composting. That session at 11:30 a.m. will be at Hoag Library in Albion. Brian Murphy from NOCO Enterprises LLC will lead the discussion that is open to the community.

Green Orleans is a grassroots organization open to residents seeking a more sustainable lifestyle. The group would like to offer monthly programs.

“We understand that most of these ‘small actions’ may not make a major difference, but we do believe that the more of us who try, the greater the difference we can make,” said Tom Robinson, one of the leaders of the group.

Robinson is a retired school counselor at the Medina school district, and a long-time Medina resident.

“I have gotten involved with this group as I have become more concerned about the environmental changes in recent years and the potential adverse effects these changes may have on my grandchildren,” Robinson said. “My responsibility is to do whatever I can as an individual to assure the inhabitability of our area and the world in which we live, as extreme as that may sound. I hope that others who are so concerned will also do what little bit that they can do as well.”

Green Orleans suggests the following simple steps to help reduce environment impacts:

• Consider making fewer short trips in your vehicle by planning better and combining your errands. For example, going to the grocery store, pharmacy and gas station in one trip. This may reduce your mileage and the amount of your carbon emissions.
• Consider ride sharing for meetings, events, church, etc.
• When you go out to eat, take your own reusable container for any leftover food
• Take reusable bags into all types of stores – not just the grocery store

If you are interested in becoming part of Green Orleans, the group suggests attending the Jan. 26 meeting.

For those who are interested, but cannot attend the daytime meetings, you are encouraged to contact either Sister Dolores O’Dowd at sda_albion@rochester.rr.com or Kim Remley at 585-589-5053 (leave message). Robinson urges people to share other ideas on sustainability.

Press Release, Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

WATERFORD – The New York State Canal Corporation, through the Reimagine the Canals initiative, and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor are offering competitive grant funding to support tourism and recreation along the New York State Canal System including canal waterways and Canalway Trail.

The 2023 program will support tourism infrastructure and amenity improvements, and events. Applications are open now through Feb. 24.

Funding is open to counties, municipalities, units of local government, not-for-profit organizations and federally recognized Native American tribes.

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.

“New York’s Canals and their surrounding communities have become destinations for local residents and tourists seeking unique recreational activities and provide opportunities to explore all of what our state has to offer, and it is essential to provide support to ensure continued growth and improvements,” said Canal Corporation Director Brian U. Stratton. “Through this grant program, we are excited to renew our commitment to preserve and expand all that our shared waterways and trails offer and look forward to seeing visitors enjoying the flourishing Canal System as we continue to build on its role as a cornerstone of the New York experience.”

In 2022, 38 nonprofit organizations and municipalities received NYS Canal System Tourism Infrastructure and Event Grants totaling $259,300. The grants supported 11 tourism infrastructure and amenity improvements and 27 events.

Interested applicants are invited to attend an informational Q&A session on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 10am. For details, Q&A registration, and online application, click here.

“Investing in recreational amenities and heritage-based events is essential to the Corridor’s health, both in terms of improving residents’ quality of life and by facilitating the economic impacts of tourism. We are pleased to collaborate with the NYS Canal Corporation on this initiative and align our revitalization strategies,” said Bob Radliff, Executive Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.