It’s easy sometimes in the midst of a cold, blustery winter to forget about the natural assets and inherent beauty of the Chautauqua region. But last week, the first public meeting held by the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Area Commission was an opportunity to remember and celebrate those assets.
An energetic group of about fifty residents, local officials, grape growers, winemakers, planners and historians met to help shape the Concord Grape Belt Heritage Area Management Plan. The workshop meeting was one step in a comprehensive planning process required of all Heritage Areas in New York State.
The Concord Grape Belt Heritage Area (CGBHA) is the 19th Heritage Area in the state and was created by the State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation in 2006 after the successful passage of legislation sponsored by State Senator Cathy Young and Assemblyman Bill Parment. It is the first Heritage Area to be recognized for its agricultural heritage. A $75,000 Division of Coastal Resources grant is helping to fund the development of the Management Plan.
The CGBHA includes the Towns of Hanover, Sheridan, Dunkirk, Pomfret, Portland, Westfield and Ripley as well as the Villages of Silver Creek, Forestville, Fredonia, Brocton and Westfield and the City of Dunkirk.
The New York State Heritage Area System has four major goals for the unique areas: to enhance economic revitalization, to provide recreation and leisure activities, to educate and interpret the heritage and to preserve the resources of the area.
We are all familiar with the natural beauty, rolling vineyards and scenic lakefront views the area offers. But the economic impact of grape production in the area is equally impressive. Consider that New York State is the third largest grape-producing state and the CGBHA produces 68% of those grapes on over 19,000 acres with a total economic impact of $141 million.
Couple our ideal grape growing soils and climate with the fact that there are 16 million people living within a 150 miles of the area, and the importance of drafting a dynamic and comprehensive management plan becomes clear.
Last week’s meeting was an opportunity to identify the area’s resources and assets and brainstorm ways to make those assets more accessible. Input received at the meeting will be quantified and summarized for review.
Upcoming public meetings will be posted on the Chautauqua Vibe calendar. If you would like to become involved in the Management Plan development process, contact Andrew Dufresne at and4833@windstream.net or visit the Grape Belt’s web site at www.concordgrapebelt.org.
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Concord Grape Belt, CGBHA, public meeting, economic impact, Heritage Area |
