04 Apr ROOST APPLAUDS GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATORS ON NEW YORK STATE BUDGET
ROOST APPLAUDS GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATORS ON NEW YORK STATE BUDGET
Lake Placid, NY – James McKenna, CEO of the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST), applauds Governor Cuomo and the state legislature for an on-time New York state budget that is highly favorable to the Adirondacks and North Country.
“The 2019 budget brings fantastic news for our region, thanks to the governor and our region’s legislative delegation,” said McKenna. “Their ongoing commitment to funding programs and infrastructure that will spur economic growth through tourism is a great benefit to the North Country.”
Budget highlights that directly affect regional tourism include continued funding of the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC), an increase in the I LOVE NY matching funds program, $13 million for lodging development, and $62.5 million for Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) upgrades.
“The ILoveNY matching funds program increased from 4.5 to 4.9 million, which will have a direct positive impact through the entire North Country,” McKenna said. “In addition, the $750 million to fund the REDCs is key in allowing the councils to keep growing. Our North Country regional council has excelled in using tourism as an economic avenue, and we are grateful for the governor’s leadership and his recognition of the councils as economic drivers.”
The budget includes a $13 million fund that will support strategic lodging opportunities in the North Country. This, combined with a North Country lodging feasibility analysis being conducted by New York’s Empire State Development, will better inform the state and region of the best opportunities available to meet the demands of travelers through new lodging development.
“We have the natural environment and attractions, but are lacking modern hospitality infrastructure with amenities that appeal to today’s travelers,” McKenna said. “The governor’s leadership in helping to create more lodging is further proof of his commitment to fueling the North Country’s economy.”
The $62.5 million in capital funding for the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) will be used to upgrade and modernize its Olympic sports venues and three ski areas.
“These upgrades are integral to the continuation of the Olympic venues as an economic driver for the region,” McKenna said. “With the state’s support, the venues will continue to be a tourism attractor and will be able to be used to host large-scale sporting competitions.”
ROOST is the accredited destination marketing organization (DMO) responsible for promoting Essex County, Franklin County, Hamilton County, the Town of North Elba, the Town and Village of Tupper Lake, Harrietstown, Lake Placid, Piercefield, and Saranac Lake, New York to the traveling public. roostadk.com.
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