Get Involved: Economic Revitalization
The 524-mile New York State Canal System and the remnants of its predecessor towpath-era canals represent a regional asset for economic development. The National Heritage Corridor has leveraged $18.87 million in funds to date and awarded $218,000 in grants to communities throughout the Corridor.
 
Economic Impact of Historic and Cultural Sites
Visitors to historic and cultural sites in the eastern part of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor (Albany to Rome) generate an estimated $38 million in sales at local businesses, which support 507 jobs, providing $14 million in wages to local residents.

These findings are among the results of of an economic impact study released in June 2010 by the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. The study was conducted in partnership with Dr. David Lewis of the University at Albany Geography and Planning Department and Camoin Associates.

 
The survey generated 800 responses at 22 participating heritage sites. A more detailed follow up survey gathered additional detail from 138 respondents. Because 60 percent of the in-depth responses came from visitors to sites from Albany to Rome, researchers were able to develop a detailed case study of the Eastern Region of the National Heritage Corridor.
 
Key Findings:

• 70% of visitors to East Region are day trippers and 80% are from New York State.
   
• More than half of visitors to sites in the eastern region come for a specific cultural and heritage tourism site or special event, rather than to visit the region in general. Historic sites and festivals are top attractions, followed by museums. This is in contrast to visitors to the West Region of the Corridor, where visiting family and friends is a more typical draw.
   
• The typical profile of a Corridor visitor is an adult between ages of 46 and 75, with income of $75,000 or more per year and travelling with immediate family members.
   
• These visitors patronize local businesses: of those that shop, 57% visit historic downtowns, 43% shop in locally owned stores, 50% of meals eaten are in locally owned restaurants, and 21% of overnight visitors stay in locally-owned lodging facilities (vs 29% who stay in chain hotels/motels).
   
• Most survey respondents reported learning about Corridor sites and activities from a previous visit and from the Internet. Family and friends was the next most common method for visitors to get their travel information. Repeat visitation to the Corridor is high – 54% reported being a repeat visitor.
   
• Total visitors to heritage sites in the eastern region are estimated at 998,000 per year. Most of these visitors are day trippers who live in or near the Corridor. (See attached for maps of visitor origins).
   
• Day trip visitors spend approximately $33 per trip and overnight visitors spend approximately $360 per trip (See attached for visitor spending details).

Survey sites in the Capital Region and Mohawk Valley included: the New York State Museum, Albany Heritage Area Visitor Center, Troy RiverSpark Visitor Center, Waterford Harbor Visitor Center, Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site, and the Arkell Museum in Canajoharie.  
 
For more information on the project, contact Hannah_Blake@nps.gov or (518) 237-7000, ext 202.