WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced a bill that would renew the National Heritage designation of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Corridor, which includes more than 81 miles of the Towpath Trail that runs through Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark, and Tuscarawas Counties. Brown’s bill would renew the canalway’s designation as an historic landmark, which is set to expire in September, for an additional ten years, thus making it eligible to receive future federal funding.

“The Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is a vital part of Northeast Ohio’s economy,” Brown said. “This bill would ensure that the canalway is eligible to receive federal funding so that it can continue to serve Northeast Ohio by attracting tourists, business, and creating jobs.”

Authorized as a National Heritage Area (NHA) in 1996, the Ohio & Erie Canalway stretches 110 miles between Cleveland and New Philadelphia. The canalway was originally built in the 1820s and 1830s and adds significant economic and historic value to Ohio. It attracts more than 2.5 million tourists per year and has leveraged almost $350 million since 1996 in private, local, state, and federal investments, including $85 million from the Towpath Trail alone.

“The Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area reauthorization legislation enables us to continue to develop the popular Towpath Trail, preserve historic resources and provide educational programs,” said the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition. “Through the promotion of resource conservation, we are revitalizing communities, stimulating community and economic development and cultivating new volunteers and stewards for the Ohio & Erie Canalway. Special thanks to Senator Brown for his outstanding leadership and support for the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area.”

In July 2012, Brown attended the groundbreaking of the northern end of the Towpath Trail with Tim Donovan, Executive Director of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Corridor and Brian Zimmerman, Executive Director of the Cleveland Metroparks.  

In April 2011, Brown announced that more than $1 million was awarded to the National Park Service to develop a new installation at the Canal Visitor Center in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Northeast Ohio. The U.S. Department of Transportation funds were distributed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to improve the visitor center located directly on the Ohio & Erie Canalway Byway.  

                                                                                                                                        

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