May 20, 2020 – Ohio Senators Sherrod Brown and Rob Portman, along with Ohio Representatives Tim Ryan and David Joyce have introduced legislation in the Senate and House to provide greater funding certainty to the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. The legislation would extend funding reauthorization 15 years to 2036 and increase the funding cap by $10 million. The House version of the bill is also sponsored by Reps. Marcy Kaptur and Anthony Gonzalez.
“We are extremely grateful to Senator Brown, Senator Portman, Congressman Ryan, Congressman Joyce, Congresswoman Kaptur, Congressman Gonzalez, and all members of the Ohio delegation, for their tremendous support for the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area,” said Dan Rice, president and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and co-executive director of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association. “Their work is supporting the local natural and recreational resources for generations to come.”
“Thank you to our Members of Congress for their continued support. We share the wonders of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area with the millions of visitors to the Towpath Trail, Cuyahoga River, parks & greenspaces, and historic sites each year. This support ensures we can continue those programs for our communities and our partners,” said Mera Cardenas, executive director of Canalway Partners and co-executive director of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association.
The Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area was designated by Congress in 1996 and celebrates the legacy of the Ohio & Erie Canal to the region and nation. Annually, more than 2.5 million users find their way to the iconic, soon-to-be 101-mile Towpath Trail running through the heart of the Canalway. More than 90 miles of the trail are complete, with the remaining miles in various stages of planning, funding, and development.
For more information, please visit www.ohioanderiecanalway.com.