Board of Directors Jordan Levy, Chairman David J. Colligan Michael DiVirgilio Maureen O. Hurley Julie M.

Barrett ONeill Mindy Rich Chris Collins, Ex Officio Byron W. Brown, Ex Officio Historic District Advisory Group Jordan Levy, Chair Richard G. Berger, Esq. Bruno Cagliostro Henry Giorino Mark Goldman Peter F. Hunt Kathy Konst Eric Lander Newel Nussbaumer Christel Peacock Paul Redding Casmiro Rodriguez Mike Schmand Lynda H. Schneekloth Catherine Schweitzer Tim Tielman Outer Harbor Advisory Group David J. Colligan, Chair Anthony Anderson, P.E. Alan Bedenko, Esq. Louis Benton II Vince Connors Tucker Curtin Peter Demakos, P.E. John M. Fell, AICP Don Finkle Sergio Fornasiero Mark Goldman Marti Gorman Erin Heaney Bill Jones Renata Kraft Scott McKee Laurence McMahon John Montaque Carl Montante, Jr. William Nowak Alan Oberst Marc Odien Jud Payne Anne Perry Alfred Price David Stebbins Pierre Wallinder Marty Walters Buffalo River Advisory Group Julie Barrett ONeill, Chair Justin Booth William Breeser Ronald Chapin Timothy Delaney Lisa DuBois Jessie Fisher Erin Heaney Leanna Hefferman Jill Jedlicka Laura Kelly William Novak Jackie OBannon Margaret Overdorf Carl Paladino Lorraine Pierro Daryl Rasuli Sam Savarino Erin Sharkey Jim Simon Steven Stepniak Gregory Stevens Gerhardt Yaskow Greg Wisniewski Rick Smith III James Simon Jennifer Sepulveda Cultural Advisory Group Maureen O. Hurley, Chair Peter B. Dow, Chair Cindy Abbott-Letro Ted Bickford Melissa Brown Kevin Cottrell Donna Fernandesz Dottie Gallagher-Cohen Duncan Hay Paul Hogen Michael Kimmelberg Barbara Park-Leggett Thomas Mooney John S. Montague Mark Mortenson Christopher Schoepflin Catherine Schweitzer Art Selection Advisory Group Jordan Levy, Chair Molly Donovan Sandra Q. Firmin Louis Grachos Michael Joseph

For Immediate Release: August 18, 2011

95 Perry Street, Suite 500 Buffalo, NY 14203-3030 P: (716) 846-8200 F: (716) 846-8260 www.eriecanalharbor.com

Contact: Erich Weyant (ECHDC) | eweyant@empire.state.ny.us | 716.846.8258 Events and Programming Sought for Canalside Building off the momentum of a record-breaking summer, ECHDC seeks proposals for 2012 programming season The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation (ECHDC) today issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for events and programming for the 2012 programming season in order to activate the existing features, public spaces and water at Canalside. Program funding will fall into three categories: General Programming, Story of Buffalo Programming, and Special Programming. ECHDC has set a deadline of September 23 for submissions. The Cultural Advisory Group will make recommendations to the ECHDC board of directors in November. The 2012 season will run from May 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. The tremendous influx of people visiting Canalside this summer demonstrates the wisdom of expanding our events calendar, said Maureen Hurley, Chair of the Canalside Cultural Advisory Group. By Labor Day Weekend we expect to have nearly tripled the number of visitors over last year. The people of Western New York have awakened to the unique asset that we have in our waterfront, and it is our goal to ensure that they have interesting and exciting ways to enjoy it. Proposals for General Programming funds will be weighed according to a number of factors, including their ability to appeal to a wide audience demographic, draw large and/or repeat audiences, and the history and experience of their organization with similar endeavors. ECHDC will provide a maximum of $50,000 for implementing General Programming proposals that are selected. Individual General Programming proposals will receive a maximum of $2,500. A match (cash or in-kind) of 50% or more is required. Applicants seeking Story of Buffalo funds must demonstrate their proposals relevance to local history and culture, as well as their educational value. Events will take place throughout Western New York in 2012 to celebrate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the 150th anniversaries of the Albright-Knox, the Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society, and the Buffalo Museum of 1

Science. Applicants are encouraged to provide programming that will tie into these events and increase collaboration between Western New York s cultural entities. The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation will provide a maximum of $150,000 for implementing selected Story of Buffalo Programming proposals. Individual Story of Buffalo Programming proposals will receive a maximum of $10,000. A match (cash or in-kind) of 50% or more is required. Each year, the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation receives proposals that do not fit either of the above programming categories. Although some of those proposals are forwarded to other advisory groups or rejected, the Special Programming category allows those proposals that do not fit the criteria for General or Story of Buffalo programming to receive consideration. Special Programming proposals will be considered based upon the applicant s ability to demonstrate uniqueness, a wow factor, or a big idea. The funding amount, if any, will be based on the selected proposal(s). If you are talking about Buffalo, you are talking about the waterfront, said Peter Dow, co-chair of the Cultural Advisory Group. The Story of Buffalo and the history of our waterfront are inextricably linked and we encourage individuals and groups who have a story that they would like to see told to apply to be a part of this process. We have been so pleased by the success we have had this summer, but it is really only the beginning. The RFP and application forms are available at: http://www.eriecanalharbor.com/rfprfq.asp Staging areas available for applicants include:  Stage  Boardwalk  The Green Slope  Historic Ruins  Whipple Bridge  Boardwalk Extension/Beach  Great Lawn Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation is a subsidiary agency of Empire State Development Corporation whose vision is to revitalize Western New York s waterfront and restore economic growth to Buffalo based on the region s legacy of pride, urban significance and natural beauty. ###