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Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Reed Announce Bi-Partisan Effort to Make Finger Lakes a National Heritage Area

Jul 24th, 2017

Finger Lakes region aims for national recognition with new designation

U.S. Senator Kristen Gillibrand and Congressman Tom Reed visited Clute Memorial Park in Watkins Glen this afternoon to announce a bi-partisan bill that would begin efforts to make the Finger Lakes region designated as a National Heritage Area. Passing of this bi-partisan legislation would mean the Finger Lakes would undergo a Feasibility Study Process to determine if the region meets the necessary standards to become a National Heritage Area.

“The announcement that we’re going to hear today is something that is going to be a major game changer,” said Coleen Fabrizi, Board Chair for the Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance. “The potential economic impact from being designated as a National Heritage Area is going to make a difference like we have never before seen in the New York State tourism industry."

“The Finger Lakes is not a well-known region; it should be known all around the world as this perfect place that people can come and enjoy,” said U.S. Senator Gillibrand. “…making this region a National Heritage Area would solve that problem.”

“I am very confident that, with the Senator’s leadership in the Senate, we are going to be able to get [this bill] to the finish line,” said Congressman Reed. “We are going to get this area designated for its rightful recognition across the country that we all stand here to celebrate and to support.”

National Heritage Areas are designated by Congress as areas where natural, cultural and historic resources come together to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. There are currently 49 National Heritage Areas across the United States.

In 2015, tourism was a $2.9 billion industry in the Finger Lakes and employed 59,293 people. Designation as a National Heritage Area has led to an incremental but substantial increase in tourism in other areas that have received this designation. There are currently 49 areas designated as a National Heritage Area. These areas support historic preservation, natural resource conservation, recreation, heritage tourism, and educational projects. 

Founded in 1919, Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance is recognized as one of the first destination marketing organizations in the United States. FLTA is an association of private-sector attractions, tourism-related

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