Advisory Board for FL Visitor’s Center Announced

State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio today convened the first meetingof an Advisory Board that will work to develop a world class Visitor’sCenter to serve Geneva and the central Finger Lakes region. SenatorNozzolio secured $5 million in this year’s State budget to construct thenew Visitor’s Center in downtown Geneva and promote regional tourism.The Advisory Board will work with the Geneva City government and local NewYork State representatives in developing the Visitor’s Center. In additionto assisting in finding the right location for the Center, the AdvisoryBoard will be involved in the project through construction and will work todevelop operational details for the Visitor’s Center.“The Finger Lakes Gateway Visitors Center will be unsurpassed as adestination for all tourists wishing to learn about the many recreationalactivities and attractions in the central Finger Lakes region,” saidSenator Nozzolio. “I am extremely pleased that these fine leaders of thecommunity will be working with City officials in developing a VisitorsCenter that will help to continue the revitalization of Geneva while alsopromoting everything that our region has to offer.”The new state-of-the art Visitors Center will be interactive for touristsand will serve as a destination for those seeking information on the manyattractions in the Finger Lakes region. The Geneva Chamber of Commerce isplanning to relocate to the new facility.City of Geneva Mayor Stu Einstein said, “This is a great partnership tofocus on this important project for the City of Geneva . A Visitor Centernear the lakefront will be an excellent resource for the City and help uskick-off a keystone effort to bring people into Geneva. “The members of the Finger Lakes Gateway Visitors Center Advisory Board are:Marion Balyszak, Finger Lakes InstituteDr. Tom Burr, NYS Ag Experiment StationClark Culver, IBEWPaul D’Amico, Councilman for the City of GenevaMike Davis, IBEWStu Einstein, Mayor of the City of GenevaCarl Fribolin, White Springs WineryMark Gearan, President of Hobart and William Smith CollegesAlexa Gifford, Director of the NY Wine and Culinary CenterRob Gladden, Geneva Area Chamber of CommerceJohn Greco, Councilman for the City of GenevaValerie Knoblauch, Finger Lakes Visitor’s ConnectionBrian Kolb, NYS AssemblymanMary Ann Krupsak, Former NYS Lieutenant Governor, local business ownerMary Luckern, Supervisor for the Town of GenevaBernie Lynch, Lynch FurnitureKelly Mitiga, First Niagara BankVictor Nelson, Ramada Inn GenevaGene Pierce, Glenora WineryPeter Saltonstall, King Ferry WineryBob Schick, Lyons National BankThe Finger Lakes Gateway Visitors Center will be modeled after thesuccessful New York Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua, whichhighlights the food and wines produced in New York State.The new $5 million Visitors Center is a component of Senator Nozzolio’splan to help revitalize the City of Geneva. Last month, Senator Nozzolioannounced he secured $27 million in funding in the 2008-2009 State budgetfor projects in the City of Geneva. In addition to the Visitors Center,other projects include a new $12 million Geneva satellite campus for theFinger Lakes Community College, a $20 million Federal Grape ResearchFacility and $4 million Wine and Grape Processing Facility and commercialbuilding at the Cornell Agriculture and Food Tech Park, as well as $1.75million that Senator Nozzolio successfully secured to help build a newCommunity Center for Geneva’s residents.