From grassroots beginnings in living rooms to lobbying Congress for National Heritage Area designation, the founding organizations of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association have been at the heart of all Canalway efforts.

The two nonprofits, Canalway Partners (founded in 1985) and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition (founded in 1989) co-wrote the legislation to designate the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area while leading a successful regional support campaign.

This campaign led to the passage of a federal bill, signed by President Bill Clinton in 1996, recognizing the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to act as the management entity for the Canalway.

The Ohio & Erie Canalway Association operates as a regional extension of Canalway Partners and the Coalition. These organizations provide staffing to manage the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association through Technical Assistance Agreements that ensure a clear majority of federal funds are used for planning, projects, and programs.

About the Founding Organizations

Canalway Partners focuses its efforts on Cleveland and Cuyahoga County – the northern section of the Canalway. The Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition focuses its efforts on the southern sections of the Canalway in Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas Counties.

Individually, the non-profit organizations enlist the membership and support from businesses, government agencies and residents interested in supporting the development of the Ohio & Erie Canalway.

On regional projects, the two founding organizations join forces with the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association and take lead on programs affecting the National Heritage Area as a whole.

The presidents of the founding organizations also serve together as co-executive directors of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association.

To learn more or find ways to increase your participation in each group’s Canalway-based efforts and events, we invite you to visit their sites:

Canalway Partners: www.canalwaypartners.com
Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition: www.ohioeriecanal.org