"The North Country has an abundance of exciting tourism opportunities, particularly for boating enthusiasts," Heastie said.
"The region has tremendous potential for economic development through tourism, but we must ensure that the communities affected by the recent Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River flooding are able to get back on their feet. Our $55 million investment to create a flood recovery grant program will help do just that."
"I was pleased to have the speaker in the district so he could get a first-hand look at one of our region's greatest assets, the St. Lawrence River," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
"We spent the day looking at the river and its impact on our local economy. The speaker had an opportunity to see our region's ties in the past to the boat building industry with a stop at the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, got a first-hand look at the present conditions as we headed out on the water and saw some of the impact of the high water levels and looked at steps that can be taken to grow jobs tied to our river heritage in the future."
The North Country encompasses the coastline of Lake Ontario as well as the St. Lawrence River and attracts countless passionate boaters, sailors and fishermen. During Wednesday's trip, Speaker Heastie and Assemblywoman Jenne visited the Antique Boat Museum in Clayton, a national institution for boating enthusiasts and a historical and cultural landmark for North American maritime heritage.
Following their visit to the Antique Boat Museum, Speaker Heastie and Assemblywoman Jenne visited the Boldt Yacht House and the Boldt Castle. Located in Alexandria Bay in the Thousand Islands, the Boldt Castle Yacht House has been a premier attraction in the region until, however, the facility was forced to close for the season due to flooding damage.
In late June, the Assembly passed legislation to establish a $55 million flood recovery grant program to assist small businesses, farms, property owners, and municipalities. The funding will bring relief to communities and businesses like the Boldt Castle Yacht House to recover from flood damage so that they can continue to make substantial economic and cultural contributions to the region.
"Speaker Heastie was very supportive of our efforts to bring flood relief funding to the North Country to assist businesses and property owners impacted by the flooding, and this trip provided him with an opportunity to see first-hand some of the challenges that have resulted from the high water levels. The residents of New York State only benefit from the Speaker's willingness to travel the state to get a better understanding of the unique challenges facing different regions of our state," Assemblywoman Jenne said.
IN THE PHOTOS:
TOP PHOTO:
Rick Tague (center), chair of the Antique Boat Museum Board of Directors, discusses the impact high water levels had on the museum property earlier this year with New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (left) and Assembly Speaker Addie A.E. Jenne (right).
Shane Sanford (right), director of Boldt facilities operations for the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, shows Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne how high water levels reached earlier this spring at the Boldt Castle Yacht House property on Wellesley Island.
Shane Sanford (right), director of Boldt facilities operations for the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, shows Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie water that is still over a dock at the Boldt Castle Yacht House.
Shane Sanford (right), director of Boldt facilities operations for the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority, shows Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne that water levels are still posing some issues inside the Boldt Yacht House on Wellesley Island. The yacht house has been closed this tourism season due to the high water levels.
Rebecca Hopfinger (right), executive director of the Antique Boat Museum, discusses an exhibit with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne.
Thousand Islands Bridge Authority Boldt Facilities Director Shane Sanford, Assemblywoman Addie A.E. Jenne and New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie pose for a photograph on the steps of Boldt Castle.
