OHIO & ERIE CANALWAY, Ohio (March 8, 2024) – The Ohio & Erie Canalway Association has extended the deadline for Letters of Intent for its 2024 Strategic Initiatives Program, which supports projects with a focus on conservation and development of natural, recreational, cultural and historical resources throughout the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. The deadline for submission is now March 22, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. EST. A Letter of Intent is intended to provide the Ohio & Erie Canalway Association with a brief description of your proposed project to assess whether it fits within the eligibility requirements and aligns with the strategic initiatives of the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area prior to accepting full applications.

The Ohio & Erie Canalway Association works with local partners throughout the National Heritage Area in Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark, and Tuscarawas Counties, and a portion of Wayne County. Eligible applicants include State of Ohio political subdivisions, nonprofit organizations, and other persons or projects that fall within the boundaries of the 110-mile Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area. The downloadable Letter of Intent, map of the National Heritage Area, eligibility requirements and previously funded initiatives can be found online at: www.ohioanderiecanalway.com/learn/strategic-initiatives. Applicants who submit a Letter of Intent will be required to attend an orientation session to be scheduled via Zoom.

Through the strategic initiatives program, more than $10 million have been awarded to projects, plans and programs within the Ohio & Erie Canalway National Heritage Area, matched with more than $355 million from private, local, state, and other non-federal funding sources. This has allowed the Ohio & Erie Canalway to contribute to the construction of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, America’s Byway, visitor services and more throughout the Canalway.

For questions about the program or project proposals, please contact George Ebey, Strategic Initiatives Program Coordinator for the Ohio & Erie Canalway, at 330-374-5657 or gebey@ohioeriecanal.org.