Erie Canal advocates seek extension of waterway's new lease on life [View all]

WASHINGTON — In its planning stages, the Erie Canal was derided as “Clinton’s Big Ditch” — a hopeless vision of a hapless governor, DeWitt Clinton, to build what was then about the boldest, most ambitious infrastructure project of its time.

But after it opened in 1825, the Erie Canal spawned a wave of commercial and business opportunity that helped put Albany and Buffalo — and the 363 miles of points in between — on the map.

In much the same way, the rebirth of the canal as a federal “National Heritage Corridor” has generated $1.5 billion in economic impact in a line of upstate towns — including places like Waterford, Schenectady and Cohoes — that had been in decline for decades. New apartments, kayak rentals, restaurants, trail markers, historic preservation, bike paths — all these are positive signs in the longed-for resurrection of upstate New York’s once-thriving economy.

In addition to the economic impact, the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor supports 3,240 jobs and generates $34.9 million in tax revenue.

Read more: https://www.timesunion.com/7day-state/article/Erie-Canal-advocates-seek-extension-of-waterway-s-13818244.php
(Albany Times Union)