The Beat

Waterford, N.Y. -- The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor and the New York State Canal Corporation, through the Reimagine the Canals initiative, are pleased to announce that 38 non-profit organizations and municipalities will receive grants in 2022 totaling $259,300. The grants will support 11 tourism infrastructure and amenity improvements and 27 events along the NYS Canal System. The grants range from $500 to $24,000 and will leverage an estimated $1.2 million in additional support.

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced today that the pedestrian bridge near the Franklin Street entrance to the Watkins Glen State Park Gorge Trail will be closed for renovation this season. A temporary bridge will be installed in the coming weeks to ensure access to the gorge for the summer. The gorge trail will open by Memorial Day weekend, but visitors may need to use other points of entry until the temporary bridge is installed.

New Elevated Park Boosts Recreational Opportunities for Capital Region Residents and Visitors

Transformative Project Supports Governor Hochul's Goals to Reconnect Neighborhoods and Improve Quality of Life; Furthers Tourism and Economic Development and Directly Connects Downtown Albany to the Empire State Trail

Public Process for Livingston Avenue Bridge Replacement Project to Begin in June

Photos Available Here  

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the opening of the transformative Albany Skyway, a new elevated park reconnecting downtown Albany to the Hudson River waterfront. The Skyway converted what had been an underutilized exit ramp from northbound Interstate 787 into an urban oasis that provides easy access to the Corning Riverfront Park and the Mohawk Hudson Hike Bike Trail - which is part of the Empire State Trail - boosting recreational opportunities and furthering tourism and economic activity in the Capital Region. The State Department of Transportation oversaw the project and, working in partnership with the City of Albany, took the lead in constructing the Skyway. The City of Albany will maintain the Skyway.

Expansion Would Extend Fare-Free Q70 Service to be Year-Round 

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that she is directing the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to extend the Q70 LaGuardia link bus service fee waiver from selected holiday weeks to the full year. The LaGuardia Link connects subway customers from the 74 Street-Broadway/Jackson Heights Roosevelt Avenue subway station with the airport in just 10 minutes. It also connects Long Island Rail Road customers from Woodside Station, at 61st Street and Roosevelt Avenue, where Q70 bus service begins.

George Washington: Perspectives on His Life and Legacy Offers Picture of Revolutionary War General and First President

Newburgh, N.Y. -- The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation and the Palisades Interstate Park Commission today announced the opening of a new, nearly completely digital exhibit at George Washington’s Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh. The exhibit, George Washington: Perspectives on His Life and Legacy, is the state park system’s first exhibit that is completely available in Spanish and English, and the first installed as part of the Our Whole History initiative to bring forward the under-told stories of all the people who lived at State Historic Sites.

Auburn, N.Y. – The Cayuga County Tourism Office is very excited to announce the recipients of the Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Events Grant! We asked local business and organizations to come up with an event, activity or performance that would educate, entertain, inspire and promote Harriet Tubman’s life and legacy.

We were very pleased with the creative ideas presented  and are looking forward to many great events celebrating Harriet Tubman’s Bicentennial and highlighting black history in Cayuga County.

Goshen Theme Park's First Full Season Will Offer New Events, Shows and Attractions Announcement Complements State's Efforts to Rebuild and Revitalize New York State's Tourism Industry 

Syracuse, N.Y. – All media are welcome to stop in during media day at the MOST to learn more about the National Grid ExploraDome. Press packets will be available for download. Videos/pictures/interviews are permitted and welcomed. Media day will feature an exclusive look at both films (sponsored by Amazon), Dinosaurs of Antarctica documentary, shown at 9:00 am, and Dark Universe planetarium, shown at 10:00 am.

The New York State Council on the Arts Awards 116 Capital Awards in Agency's Final Funding Round of Fiscal Year

 Spanning 10 Regions, 60% of $50 Million in NYSCA Capital Funding Awarded Outside of New York City Since 2018

 In 2022, NYSCA Has Awarded More Than $100 Million for the First Time in Agency History  

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced 116 Capital Project grants were awarded through the New York State Council on the Arts. In the agency's final funding round of Fiscal Year 2022, NYSCA awarded $20 million throughout the state, bringing its grant making total for the year to an historic $100 million. Capital Projects range from innovative construction renovations to critical equipment updates that prioritize health and safety upgrades. These grants reflect the breadth and depth of New York State's art sector with projects that will spur economic development, job growth, and access to arts and culture experiences in all 10 regions.

$100 Million Tourism Return-to-Work Program to Encourage Job Growth

$25 Million Meet in New York Grant Program Supports Return of Large Events

Part of Governor's $450 Million "Bring Back Tourism, Bring Back Jobs" Inclusive Recovery Package

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the launch of applications for two tourism grant programs designed to support and revitalize New York State's tourism and hospitality industry. The $100 million Tourism Return-to-Work grant program and the $25 million Meet in New York grant program were first announced in November as part of the governor's nation-leading "Bring Back Tourism, Bring Back Jobs" initiative. Both programs will now be making full applications available to tourism businesses, convention and conference centers, and licensed overnight lodging facilities that have qualified for the program.