For almost 200 years, the Erie Canal has been a fixture of not only our community but all of upstate New York. Since Governor DeWitt Clinton authorized its construction in the early 1800s, the Erie Canal has been a driver of New York State’s economic, agricultural, industrial, and, more recently, recreational growth and success.
In our community, we see the impact of the canal each and every day, as it serves as a gathering place, a landmark, and a hub for economic activity. In the Village of Brockport, there have been successful efforts through the years to bolster the local economy and preserve history through projects and updates. These updates have included the Welcome Center, where we gather for the Summer Serenades music series, and just recently, the village received an IMPACT grant to preserve and showcase canal heritage by refurbishing or creating interpretive materials to better share the story of the Erie Canal, focusing on the canal’s role in the village’s past, present, and future. The economic, educational, and recreational importance of the canal stretches far beyond our area, running through over 200 unique landscapes and communities. I saw firsthand while participating in “Cycle the Erie Canal Bike Tour” in 2016 what the canal means to many communities like ours.
In the beginning of February 2021, a network of canal-affiliated organizations, business owners, and residents who utilize the canal were warned of potential cuts of daily operating hours and cutting weeks off the navigation season. This comes after the past several years, specifically since 2015, that the Erie Canal has undergone small, measured cuts to its navigational season length and the daily operating hours of some services such as lift bridge and lock operation.
Millions of tourists and residents, hundreds of businesses, and dozens of municipalities rely on the more than $1.4 billion of revenue generated from commercial activities, festivals, and events along the entirety of the New York State Canal System. According to a 2019 report by the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, the Erie Canal attracts 1.2 million visitors annually, generating $788 million in direct sales revenue to local businesses and municipalities. Cuts of the magnitude being circulated would have dealt a devastating blow to small businesses and the upstate economy.
After gathering the facts, I had several conversations with state, county, and local leaders, businesses, and tourist organizations to discuss these proposals. In addition, I had the opportunity to advocate to a representative from the New York Power Authority (NYPA), the state organization that oversees the operation of the Erie Canal, calling for there to be no changes to the operating season. At the conclusion of these conversations, NYPA confirmed that no changes were going to be made from the 2019 season’s operating hours or navigation season, and the canal will operate from mid-May through mid-October. The NYPA President and CEO confirmed this in a letter printed last month by Westside News titled “New York State Canal Corporation issues opening statement.”
I will continue to advocate for our community to ensure that the Erie Canal continues to be an asset and resource for our community.
Jackie Smith
Monroe County Legislator, District 2
