Press Release: New York State , September 30, 1998

Governor George E. Pataki today announced the Empire State Development (ESD), which administers the I LOVE NY program, has awarded $4,276,600 in matching funds to local Tourism Promotion Agencies (TPAs) throughout New York State. The funds, which include the $750,000 Senate increase from last year, will assist TPAs in initiating and broadening their marketing efforts.

"Tourism is the New York's second largest industry with 1997 travel expenditures totaling nearly $30 billion," Governor Pataki said. "It's growth and success effects the economic prosperity of every new Yorker. The matching funds program increases regional tourism promotion efforts to attract more visitors to the vast and varied travel opportunities in our beautiful state."

Under the program, awards may by used for the purchase of advertising; audio/visual and photography production; toll-free phone charges; mailing costs; tourism collateral; posters for official I LOVE NY festivals; and various marketing, public relations and research initiatives. The legislatively-mandated tourism matching funds also help assure the continuity and expansion of the highly successful I LOVE NY campaign through the use of its world famous logo in regional advertising and brochures.

Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said, "New York State is one of the most popular tourist destinations for travelers all over the country and the world. The Senate Majority and Governor Pataki recognize the critical importance of investing in tourism promotion and marketing to attract visitors and generate the revenue and jobs that result from a strong tourism program."

Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of ESD, said, "Governor Pataki has made tourism a major component of his economic policies, which have transformed and renewed New York State's economy."

The following Matching Funds awards were announced for Fiscal Year 1998-99:

ADIRONDACKS
Plattsburgh/Clinton County Chamber of Commerce            $63,740
Lake Placid/Essex County Visitors Bureau                 $100,091
Franklin County Tourism                                   $82,985
Hamilton County Tourism                                   $78,709
Lewis County Chamber of Commerce                          $91,966
Warren County Tourism                                     $82,985

CAPITAL-SARATOGA
Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau             $60,325
Fulton County Chamber of Commerce                        $52,104
Rensselaer County Tourism                                $59,355
Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce                      $58,180
Schenectady County Chamber of Commerce                   $33,518
Washington County Tourism                                $43,626

CATSKILLS
Delaware County Chamber of Commerce                       $68,017
Greene County Promotion Department                        $72,293
Sullivan County Promotion                                 $70,155
Ulster County Tourism                                     $68,017

CENTRAL-LEATHERSTOCKING
Broome County Convention and Visitors Bureau              $57,725
Leatherstocking Country                                   $260,973
Madison County Tourism                                    $59,463
Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce                     $57,591
Oneida County Convention and Visitors Bureau              $57,491
Otsego County Chamber of Commerce                         $59,464

CHAUTAUQUA-ALLEGHENY
Allegany County Tourism                                   $76,570
Cattaraugus County Tourism                                $74,431
Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau                         $74,431

FINGER LAKES
Chemung County Chamber of Commerce                        $59,455
Finger Lakes Association                                  $404,115
Ontario County Visitors Bureau                            $59,525
Greater Rochester Visitors Bureau                         $68,091
Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce                       $55,763
Seneca County Tourism                                     $58,425
Syracuse Convention and Visitors Bureau                   $59,464
Ithaca/Tompkins Convention and Visitors Bureau            $59,325
Wayne County Tourism                                      $57,425

GREATER NIAGARA
Buffalo Convention and Visitors Bureau                    $65,023
Genesee County Chamber of Commerce                        $60,319
Niagara County Tourism                                    $65,023
Orleans County Tourism                                    $43,278
Wyoming County TPA                                        $59,892

HUDSON VALLEY
Columbia County Tourism                                   $59,464
Dutchess County TPA                                       $61,602
Orange County Tourism                                     $62,457
Putnam County PAC                                         $53,631
Rockland County Tourism                                   $60,325
Westchester Convention and Visitors Bureau                $59,892

LONG ISLAND
Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau               $200,182

NEW YORK
New York Convention and Visitors Bureau                   $500,455

THOUSAND ISLANDS-SEAWAY
Oswego County Tourism                                     $58,675
St. Lawrence County Convention and Visitors Bureau        $61,125
Thousand Islands International Council                    $59,464