Schumer to visit Westfield to discuss Grape Heritage Center
U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer will announce his plan on Monday at 12:45 p.m. at the Westfield Fire Hall to devote federal funding to the rural economic development project through critical grants and the federal appropriations process.
"Unemployment in Chautauqua County is rising to 5.5 percent, the Grape Heritage Discovery Center could be a good economic boost for the region, bringing in tourism, jobs and revenue," Schumer said. "I pledge to work to secure critical funding for the project through appropriations, urge and support the Center's application to key grant programs, and put my full support to the educational, entertainment and agricultural heritage center."
The Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association's goal of establishing a Grape Discovery Center in the Westfield area began becoming a reality in August when State Sen. Catharine Young announced that she had secured $1.05 million through the Upstate Revitalization Capital Investment Fund for the proposed Grape Discovery Center.
The Center will feature educational and interactive exhibits that showcase Chautauqua County's grape and wine industry, celebrate the region's grape heritage and promote grape products. It will feature a gift shop and snack bar and future plans include the establishment of a Wine Tasting Center with vineyard tours.
Young, in announcing the grant funding, noted that she is pleased that the project brings together two significant local industries: tourism and grape growing.
"I am very excited because this project weaves together several of our area's economic engines. Tourism is one of out top industries, and we are the largest grape-growing region outside of California," she said. "We have 800 growers tending about 30,000 acres of vineyards that support over 1,900 jobs and generate about $5.4 million in wages. We are averaging 35,000 visits annually to our 21 wineries that result in sales in excess of $17 million. With the Grape Discovery Center, I fully expect those numbers to grow."
The Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association will work in concert with the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau and the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail. The new venture is a partnership between the state and growers, processors, wineries, universities, tourism and industrial development agencies and local governments.
