NYPA Press Release

For Immediate Release: March 11, 2026

Contact: Jacqueline Schillinger | 518-281-5510 | jackie.schillinger@nypa.gov

New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation Announce $1 Million in Awards to Upstate Municipalities and Non-Profits through the 2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative

Canalway Grants Support Capital Projects to Revitalize the New York State Canal System’s Waterways and Trails

Full List of Awardees Available Here

ALBANY, N.Y.—The New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation today announced that nine upstate municipalities and nonprofits have been awarded approximately $1 million combined in grants from the Canal Corporation through the 2025 Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiative. Funding will support the implementation of capital projects that aim to revitalize the New York State Canal system’s waterways and trails by enhancing recreational accessibility, strengthening communities and local economies, preserving and showcasing Canal history, improving safety, and promoting environmental stewardship and resilience.

"I am thrilled to see the New York Power Authority and New York State Canal Corporation investing in the revitalization of our historic Canal communities through these significant regional grants," said New York Power Authority and Canal Corporation Trustee and Syracuse Area Canal Recreationist Bea Gonzalez. "By enhancing our waterways, trails, and local infrastructure, we are preserving our rich heritage, fostering economic growth, creating new recreational opportunities, and supporting environmental stewardship. These projects will improve quality of life for residents and attract visitors, which ensures the Canalway remains a vibrant corridor where people live, work and play."

New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “As we continue to invest in the future of our Canal communities, this latest round of REDC awards helps us foster economic growth, enhance infrastructure, and improve quality of life for canalside residents and visitors. By supporting local projects and initiatives, we are ensuring that communities along the Canal system thrive and are resilient for generations to come.”

New York State Canal Corporation Director Ben Walsh said, “As we kickstart our third century of operation, this significant investment underscores our dedication to revitalizing these historic communities, promoting economic development, and enhancing the unique cultural and recreational assets they offer. These investments are helping to pave the way for sustainable growth and ensuring our Canal communities continue to thrive well into the future.”

The grants will support capital improvement projects in communities across the Canal system which will promote recreation, economic development, and tourism through investment in the functionality and beautification of areas surrounding the Canal and Canalway Trails.

This year, the Canal Corporation awards will support the following nine projects:

$150,000 Awarded to the Village of Frankfort for the Frankfort Harbor Marina Improvement Project – The Village of Frankfort will replace aging wooden dock infrastructure at the Frankfort Harbor Marina, in addition to performing necessary shoreline stabilization to ensure the integrity of the marina and docks. This project will enhance recreational opportunities, the Village's connection to the waterfront, and to other destinations across the New York State Canal system.

$150,000 Awarded to the Feeder Canal Alliance for the Feeder Canal Signage and Wayfinding Improvement Project – The Feeder Canal Alliance will implement a wayfinding program along the Feeder Canal Trail which spans 9-miles, passes through two counties (Warren and Washington) and five municipalities (Town of Queensbury, City of Glens Falls, Town of Kingsbury, Village of Hudson Falls, and Village of Fort Edward). This project will include the design, fabrication, and installation of signage and aims to empower visitors and residents to successfully and safely navigate the trail system.

$150,000 Awarded to Wayne County for the Lyons Western Gateway Park Project – Wayne County will embark on phase one of the creation of a new park in the Town of Lyons. The park aims to revitalize multiple canal-front parcels located within an existing brownfield site by enhancing public access to the waterfront and establishing a site for arts, recreation, and tourism.  

$150,000 Awarded to the Town of Hastings for the Brewerton Hamlet East River Road Parklet Project – The Town of Hastings will make various improvements to the East River Road parklet which is locatedadjacent to the Erie Canal. These improvements aim to increase public use of the park, promote diverse recreational activities, and help make the area a destination for boaters, kayakers, fishing enthusiasts, and other recreational enthusiasts.

$149,578 Awarded to the Town of Clay for the Three Rivers Park Improvement Project – The Town of Clay will install an accessible cartop boat launch at Three Rivers Park. The development of Three Rivers Point Park is an opportunity to celebrate the history of the site while providing a local and regional amenity for residents and visitors.  

$110,000 Awarded to the Trenton Joint Fire District for the Barneveld Fire Station Rehabilitation Project – The Trenton Joint Fire District will rebuild a firehouse in the hamlet of Barneveld that collapsed in February 2025. Funding provided for the fire station will go towards a community room to operate as a warming/cooling station when the region is impacted by large scale power outages. It will also act as an emergency operations center during severe weather events. The Barneveld fire station provides emergency response services to Hinckley Reservoir, West Canada Creek, the Jarvis Power Facility, and many other local and regional communities and waterways.

$100,000 Awarded to the Village of Canajoharie for the Riverfront Park Dock Improvement Project – The Village of Canajoharie will install a new docking system at Riverfront Park which is locatedadjacent to the Erie Canal. The site currently has a basic boat launch but lacks docking for transient boaters. These improvements will enhance visitor access to the Erie Canal, support tourism, and encourage recreational use of the waterfront.

$25,000 Awarded to the Town of Greenwich for the Hudson Riverside Park Project – The Town of Greenwich will develop phase one of a new park along the Hudson River and Champlain Canal adjacent to the Empire State Trail. This project will provide age-inclusive amenities for children, families, and seniors while providing waterfront access to the Hudson River and Champlain Canal, and a stop for local and regional travelers on the Empire State Trail.

$11,000 Awarded to the Buffalo Maritime Center for Erie Canal Bicentennial Voyage Fleet Preservation Project – The Buffalo Maritime Center will purchase boat covers for Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief and its fleet. This investment will ensure the historical integrity of the vessels, prevent damage during winter storage, and will ensure that the Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief and its fleet are maintained and will operate today and into the future.

Funding for this program was included in the 2025 Regional Economic Development Council Initiative. The REDC process continues to support and empower regional stakeholders in developing strategic plans and funding priorities that meet local economic needs. Regional Councils reviewed projects from this program and provided scores that reflect how well a project aligns with a region’s goals and strategies. Applicants utilized New York’s Consolidated Funding Application, the state’s single application for state resources, which includes programs for numerous agencies. It is designed to provide expedited and streamlined access to a combined pool of grant funds and tax credits from dozens of existing programs. A full list of the 2025 REDC Initiative awards that have been made can be found here.

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About the Regional Economic Development Councils

The Regional Economic Development Council initiative is a key component of the State’s approach to State investment and economic development. In 2011, 10 Regional Councils were established to develop long-term strategic plans for economic growth for their regions. The Councils are public-private partnerships made up of local experts and stakeholders from business, academia, local government, and non-governmental organizations. The Regional Councils have redefined the way New York invests in jobs and economic growth by putting in place a community-based, bottom-up approach and establishing a competitive process for State resources. Learn more at regionalcouncils.ny.gov.

About the Consolidated Funding Application

The Consolidated Funding Application was created to streamline and expedite the grant application process. The CFA process marks a fundamental shift in the way state resources are allocated, ensuring less bureaucracy and greater efficiency to fulfill local economic development needs. The CFA serves as the single-entry point for access to economic development funding, ensuring applicants no longer have to slowly navigate multiple agencies and sources without any mechanism for coordination. Now, economic development projects use the CFA as a support mechanism to access multiple state funding sources through one application, making the process quicker, easier, and more productive. Learn more about the CFA here.

About NYPA

NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Tumblr and LinkedIn.

About the New York State Canal Corporation

New York’s Canal system includes four historic canals: the Erie, Champlain, Oswego, and Cayuga – Seneca. Spanning 524 miles, the waterway links the Hudson River with the Great Lakes, the Finger Lakes and Lake Champlain. The canals connect hundreds of unique and historic communities across upstate New York. The New York State Canal Corporation is a subsidiary of the New York Power Authority. For information visit www.canals.ny.gov and follow us on Facebook at Instagram.