Congressman Tom Reed is being joined by Reps. Katko, Morelle, and Jacobs in a bipartisan effort that would result in the Finger Lakes region as a National Heritage Area. This effort aims to support economic development, bring tourism, and promote historic and natural resource conservation in the region.
“The picturesque and diverse natural resources of the Finger Lakes region serve as a strong cultural and economic foundation for the local community. In addition to the many recreational activities that our lakes, forests, and parks accommodate, the hundreds of local businesses, waterside restaurants, art galleries, and community theaters ensure that the Finger Lakes provide robust opportunities for both residents and visitors. Notably, the Finger Lakes region is also renowned as some of America’s finest wine country, acting as the home for award-winning wines from over 100 local wineries, as well as a considerable community of local breweries, cideries, and distilleries,” Rep. Reed and the other lawmakers wrote in a letter to Sec. Haaland.
“Designating the Finger Lakes region as a National Heritage Area would be in keeping with the stated goals of the program to recognize cohesive and nationally important landscapes. For this reason, we would like to express our strong support for the favorable consideration of this designation by the National Park Service (NPS). Additionally, we request that NPS consider working closely with existing cultural and tourism organizations, as well as local communities from the region, as the designation process moves forward,” the continued.
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