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| City Municipal Dock/Photo Credit: City of Ogdensburg
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell, D-Theresa, has announced she has secured a $10,000 legislative initiative aimed at enhancing the city of Ogdensburg's tourism effort.
The funding is aimed at assisting in the establishment of a secure docking facility at the city's municipal dock. The secure facility will allow cruise ships to make stops in Ogdensburg.
"I am pleased to be able to secure this funding for the city of Ogdensburg. It can only benefit the local economy if cruise ships have an option to stop in Ogdensburg, so their passengers can visit the internationally renowned Remington Museum, interact with local residents and businesses, spend money at local stores and restaurants and have the opportunity to purchase items from our local artisans," Assemblywoman Russell said.
"It's a win every time one of the cruise ships stops in our river communities rather than simply passing by on the river. This can make Ogdensburg the first stop for ships out of Montreal headed into the Great Lakes. I think that initial exposure to our communities could draw some of those tourists back for longer stays to explore our region," she added.
Ogdensburg City Manager Sarah Purdy said city officials are grateful to Assemblywoman Russell for securing the funding.
"We are really looking forward to being able to accommodate these passenger vessels. This is big for us, being able to bring ships of that size to our dock with folks looking for something to do while they are docked here," City Manager Purdy said.
The Ogdensburg Bridge and Port Authority is also assisting in the effort by providing $5,000 to amend the United States Coast Guard's facilities security plan to include the city's municipal dock.
Assemblywoman Russell said the funding she secured is aimed at provided monies needed to purchase fencing and signage required by the Coast Guard to secure the dock area when passengers are being let off ships.
She said the issue arose last year when a cruise ship wanted to stop in Ogdensburg, but the lack of a secure docking area prohibited that from happening.
"I am pleased to be able to work with city officials and provide the funding necessary to overcome that hurdle. The cruise ships have likely set their schedules for the 2016 season, but this will give Ogdensburg city officials, chamber representatives and other stakeholders from the community an opportunity to work together to get on the 2017 itinerary as well as to develop a plan to showcase the best the North Country has to offer for passengers stepping off those cruise ships in the city. I know that work is already well under way," Assemblywoman Russell said.
The Ogdensburg City Council will be asked at its meeting on Monday to approve a grant agreement with the Department of State for the $10,000 in funding.
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