NORTHEAST OH (October 25, 2023) – The Ohio & Erie Canalway Association (OECA) has awarded $292,450 to 17 regional organizations for projects and programs within the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area, which includes Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas counties. *

The Ohio & Erie Canalway Association funded the projects through its Strategic Initiative Program, a competitive grant program that funds organizations and political subdivisions that enhance the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area—which extends 110 miles from Cleveland to New Philadelphia, Ohio.

*The following projects were awarded funding, contingent upon NEPA and Section 106 compliance approval:

Corridor Wide:

• Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad: Rewiring of Locomotive #6771, $25,000

Cuyahoga County:

• City of Cleveland: Towpath & Northern Terminus Site Enhancements, $35,000

• NOACA: Cuyahoga Valley National Park Cleveland Connection Feasibility Study, $35,000

• Clair Superior Development Corporation: St. Clair Superior Wayfinding, $25,000

• Open Doors Academy: Educational Opportunities for Underserved Youth, $20,000

• Historic Gateway Neighborhood: Take a Hike 2024 Season, $15,000

• Canalway: Daniel Burnham's Mall Landmark Designation, $8,000

• Warehouse District, Inc.: The Hidden City Parklet Project, $4,000

• Share the River: Blazing Paddles Self-Guided Tour, $1,700

Summit County:

• Peninsula Foundation: Rehabilitation of the Historic GAR Hall, $35,000

• The Akron History Center, Inc.: The Akron History Center, $35,000

• Western Reserve Historical Society: The Cranz Farm Inn Restoration, $20,000

• Summit Metro Parks: Update Flood-Prone Trail, $12,000

 Stark County:

• City of Canal Fulton: Canal Fulton Kayak and Paddleboat Program, $4,250

Tuscarawas County:

• Zoar Community Association: Mansard Building Project, $10,000

• Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition: Best of Zoar Exhibit, $6,500

• Tusc Parks: Trail Counters, $1,000

OECA operates as a regional extension of its two founding organizations: Canalway Partners, representing Cuyahoga County, and the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition, representing the southern three counties of Summit, Stark and Tuscarawas.

Since receiving its National Heritage Area designation in 1996, the Ohio & Erie Canalway has leveraged over $355 million in federal, state, local and private investments throughout the region.

“We are extremely grateful to Senator Sherrod Brown, Senator JD Vance, Congresswoman Shontel Brown, Congressman Bill Johnson, Congressman Dave Joyce, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Congressman Max Miller, Congressman Troy Balderson, and Congresswoman Emilia Sykes for their tremendous support for the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area, Towpath Trail and connector trails,” states Dan Rice, president and CEO of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Coalition and co-executive director of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association. “Through their visionary leadership, we are creating a legacy for future generations.”

“These Strategic Initiative Grants fund projects that will enhance the National Heritage Area, add value to our communities and support OECA’s work to connect people to the trails, towns, scenic byways, historic sites, greenspaces and rivers that make up our National Heritage Area,” said Mera Cardenas, executive director of Canalway and co-executive director of the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association. “We’re proud to provide support to these organizations and projects.”