NORWICH – A government committee agreed to fund projects designed to boost tourism and improve the economy in Chenango County.
The Planning & Economic Development Committee tapped an infrastructure, promotion and business development account in the amount of $6,500 for the 2011 Chenango County Agricultural Society Fair and $5,600 to create a guidebook of Chenango County’s rivers.
Both recommendations were forwarded by resolution to the Chenango County Board of Supervisors for consideration next month. If approved, about $186,000 would remain in the account for future projects.
The Chenango County Fair
The 164th Annual Chenango County Fair is set for Tuesday, Aug. 9 through Sunday Aug. 14 at the fairgrounds in Norwich. Coleman Brothers Carnival will return with the midway show and an array of wristband specials, beginning with opening of the rides on the first day at 4 p.m.
Youngsters, 4-H youth and adults will be exhibiting their animals and products in the Exhibition Hall, Follett Show Ring and Case Building. The Kent Farm six horse hitch of Percherons will return for display, along with a new Alpaca Show. Grandstands events for the week include: the Firemen’s Parade; Guitars Under the Stars with Nashville star Andy Griggs; a Chenango Blues Association performance; New York Tractor Pullers Association Super Stock and Modified Tractor Pulls: Total Nonstop Action Wrestling; and demolition derbies.
River Recreation Guidebook
The Place’s Headwaters Youth Conservation Corps hopes to collect data and map the county’s rivers this summer. A resulting guidebook, and possibly multiple brochures, would list boat launches, historic points of interest and local attractions as well as depict both marine and wildlife habitats.
The five to six Americorps workers that are required for the project would be funded by the county, if the amount is approved by the full board. They would also document invasive species found and any environmental hazards, such as illegal drainage pipes, and also clean up trash and debris along the way, according to Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Director Ken Smith said Smith said.
Planning and Economic Development Committee member James Bays, D-Smyrna, suggested including conservation practices, berms in need of repair and channel problems in the guide. “Document it all,” he said.
The new resource would be computer-generated and easily updated. The current booklet for canoeing and boating enthusiasts is about 20 years old and not widely accessible, according to Smith.
