Canal Corporation Announces Availability of Tourism Matching Grants Program

ALBANY, NY (03/11/2010)(readMedia)-- The New York State Canal Corporation today announced the availability of $30,000 in tourism matching grants this year to promote the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail as a year-round recreational resource and tourism destination.

Governor David A. Paterson said, "Despite the unprecedented fiscal times, this grant program will allow canal communities and related entities to continue to promote tourism throughout the Canal System and Canalway Trail. The Canal System is an important recreational resource and provides an economic boost to the economy of New York State."

Canal Corporation Director Carmella R. Mantello said, "The Canal Corporation is pleased to once again offer these matching grants to help promote tourism and recreation along the Canal System and Canalway Trail. In these challenging economic times, these grants will provide necessary funding to help promote the multitude of recreational opportunities and attractions available along the Canal System and will build on our marketing and tourism promotion efforts this year."

The grant program is open to designated Tourism Promotion Agencies (TPAs), Chambers of Commerce, Nonprofit organizations and canal communities in New York State for the development of Canal System promotional material consistent with regional themes set forth in the Canal Recreationway Plan and recommendations contained in the state's "A Report on the Future of New York State Canals".

The grants will provide up to $2,500 for the development of promotional materials that promote the Canal System and/or Canalway Trail, or specific Canal-related events, festivals or attractions.

Special consideration will be given to applications that involve collaborative partnerships among several TPAs and/or private industry to create multi-county, regional thematic canal destinations and self-guided tours consistent with historical, cultural, urban and environmental assets and attractions contained along or within the Canal System and the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.

Materials must include Canal Corporation logos and incorporate the New York Canal System's promotional theme: "Cruise the Past, Unlock the Adventure". Eligible materials also must include the Canal System's toll-free consumer phone number, 1-800-4CANAL4, as well as the Canal Corporation's website address, www.nyscanals.gov. Materials must be made available to the public at no charge.

Proposals and grant applications are due no later than April 9, 2010. For additional information and complete program guidelines, please contact the Canal Corporation at 518-436-2799.

The New York State Canal System is comprised of four historic waterways, the Erie, the Champlain, the Oswego and the Cayuga-Seneca Canals. Spanning 524 miles across New York State, the waterway links the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes and the Niagara River with communities rich in history and culture. For more information regarding events, recreational and vacation opportunities along the Canal System, please visit www.nyscanals.gov or call 1-800-4CANAL4.

The New York State Canal Corporation is a subsidiary of the New York State Thruway Authority (Authority). Since 1992, following State legislation transferring the Canal System from the New York State Department of Transportation to the Authority, Canal operating and maintenance activities have been supported by Thruway toll revenue.

The New York State Thruway Authority/Canal Corporation offers a free email service called TRANSalert to its customers via email or text messaging to inform them of major incidents and emergencies that may affect travel on the Thruway or navigation on the Canal System. To sign up for the Canal TRANSalert service, customers can visit the Corporation's website at www.nyscanals.gov/tas/. To sign-up for Thruway TRANSalerts please visit the Authority's website at www.nysthruway.gov/tas/.

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