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Congressman Paul Tonko will host a regional waterfront development conference Monday, July 12 from 9am - 330pm at Schenectady County Community College. It’s believed to be the first meeting of its kind, bringing together stakeholders to consider a regional strategy for waterfront development and preservation.

The goal of the conference is to begin the process of establishing a strategy for development of our waterfront areas throughout the region, while at the same time promoting and protecting the natural character of the waterways that connect our communities.

Congressman Tonko will also form a Waterfront Enhancement Advisory Panel to assist him with federal initiatives to promote waterfront projects in the Capital Region.

Ann Breen, Director of the Waterfront Center in Washington, D.C., will be the keynote speaker.

Participants include: Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings and other local officials, business owners, representatives from New York State, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Capital District Regional Planning Commission, the Erie Canalway Heritage Corridor, Scenic Hudson, the Hudson River Valley Greenway, and the Beacon Institute, among others.

“We live in an area surrounded by beautiful and historic waterways, and I want to engage the entire region to create a long-term plan to take advantage of these natural resources,” said Congressman Tonko. “Carefully planned development and preservation can serve as an economic engine by increasing tourism, and as an added benefit, can help entice new companies to the region.”

What: “Mighty Waters” conference to create strategy for waterfront development and preservation

Who: Congressman Tonko, local officials, state agencies, business leaders, heritage groups, and representatives from local colleges and universities

When: Monday, July 12, 9am – 330pm. Registration opens at 830am

Where: Schenectady County Community College, 78 Washington Ave., Schenectady, in the Carl B. Taylor Auditorium

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