Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara (D-Rotterdam) announced that his bill to extend the authorization of the Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission (MVHCC) for another 10 years was approved, marking his first bill to pass the Assembly (A.7441). The revival of the commission would help support local economic development, tourism and community revitalization programs.

“The Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission has done wonders to promote our area’s rich history and unique culture,” Assemblyman Santabarbara said. “My bill would give it new life, extending the program for another decade so our community can continue to benefit from all that it offers.”

Established in 1997, the MVHCC represented eight counties, 203 communities, 6,000 square miles and 1.2 million residents of upstate New York. Some of its projects have included installing historical interpretive signs, providing local history lessons for teachers and coordinating relief efforts after flooding in 2006. When funding for the commission dried up in 2009, it continued on a volunteer basis, but its authorization expired completely on April 1 of this year.

“I’d like to thank Assemblyman Santabarbara for taking steps to revive this important resource for our area,” said Merritt Glennon, President of Schenectady County Historical Society. “We are lucky to have so much history right at our doorstep, which The Mohawk Valley Heritage Corridor Commission can help translate into tourism and economic development opportunities.”

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