Schumer Bikes Walkway Over the Hudson to Promote New Bill to Foster Innovative Tourism Initiatives in Hudson Valley- Bill Will Be a Shot in the Arm for Huge Regional Industry

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer unveiled a new proposal to boost New York's tourism industry, the Hudson Valley's largest driver of economic growth. Schumer's bill, the Travel Regional Investment Partnership Act, would work to increase U.S. tourism through the creation of a grant program that would bring together government and the private sector to improve parks, build tourism infrastructure and market tourist destinations. Importantly, the legislation will benefit communities that don't have huge budgets for tourism promotion, like communities in the Hudson Valley.

"The TRIP Act will help improve the region's already great tourist attractions and provided critically needed funding to keep the visitors, and their dollars, coming," Schumer said. "Creating jobs has got to be our number one priority and focusing on tourism is one of the most effective ways of doing that here in the Hudson Valley. "

While discussing his proposal, Schumer stood at the Walkway over the Hudson, a prime example of the economic activity that a tourist destination can produce. Schumer was joined by representatives from both the Dutchess and Ulster County Chambers of Commerce, as well as representatives from local tourism groups. During his appearance, Schumer made the case that encouraging further investment through public-private partnerships in places like the Walkway Over the Hudson will attract visitors, pump money into the local economy, create jobs, and continue to prime the pump of help local New York's tourism industry.

The Travel Regional Investment Partnership Act or TRIP Act works to boost the U.S. tourism industry all while taking into account the fiscal challenges that face states and the federal government. If passed, the legislation would set up a program in the Commerce Department to award grants to local tourist destinations that would allow them to build infrastructure, make improvements and market the destinations. The program would bring together the public and private sector by allowing local tourist attractions to partner up with private partners like a local Visitors Bureau, Chamber of Commerce or local government to pool their resources. The joint plan would then be presented to the Commerce Department where it would be judged for funding against other projects in a competitive process. The program would allow the Commerce Department to provide a selected project with a matching grant of up to $1 million. Communities in New York will likely be well positioned to compete for these grants since the state already has robust tourism infrastructure and hundreds of potentially interested private investors. The legislation was introduced by Senator Mark Begich (D-AK). Schumer is an original cosponsor.

Tourism is New York's second largest industry, producing over $660 billion in economic activity every year. The Hudson Valley's tourism industry is similarly robust. Every year, the industry pumps $3.5 billion in economic activity into local economies and supports 60,000 good paying jobs. The industry also represents an incredibly cost effective investment for the state. In 2008, Hudson Valley's tourism industry generated $444 million in state and local taxes from $300,000 in matching funds from New York State government. Passage of the TRIP Act will only mean continued growth for the tourism industry in the Hudson Valley and throughout the state.

Schumer has long been a supporter of the Walkway over the Hudson, helping to secure over $1 million for its construction. In June of last year he also got CSX to grant an easement for land on the east side of the Walkway so that necessary construction could start while final negotiations over the land purchase are completed. Without the easement, construction would have been stalled and pedestrian access uncertain as October event deadline was fast approaching. The announcement came two days after Schumer personally called CSX CEO Michael Ward urging him to designate a temporary easement of 1200 feet of land on the eastern side of the Walkway over the Hudson Bridge.

Schumer added, "Investing in tourism is one of the most cost-effective ways to boost the Hudson Valley's economy- I'm absolutely committed to doing everything I can to get this legislation passed and make sure New York is in the front of the line for these grants."

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