Albany

The State Canal System is a well-known historic feature of upstate New York that also serves as a tourist attraction and recreation venue. But the system that runs along parts of the Mohawk and Hudson river basins is also a financial drain.

Local business and tourism boosters have tried for years to get more visitors to the waterway, which, according to recent figures, brings in about $2.2 million each year but costs more than $50 million to operate.

Now Gov. Andrew Cuomo is starting a competition with $2.5 million in prize money to help the winners implement their ideas to improve recreation, tourism and infrastructure along the waterway.

The competition was announced Monday by the governor’s office and by Gil Quiniones, president and CEO of the state Power Authority, which runs the canal through a special government corporation.

"The canal system is a vital part of New York's storied past and it is critical that it continues to be an essential component of our state's future," Cuomo said in a statement announcing the competition. "We're looking for bold and innovative ideas that ensure the canal system and its surrounding communities can grow and prosper.”

"There are many people in the public and private sector who are passionate about the canals," Quiniones said. "We want to translate that passion into sustainable projects that will make the canal corridor bigger and better."

The 524-mile system includes the Erie, Champlain, Cayuga-Seneca and Oswego canals.

Quiniones spoke of the competition Monday in Syracuse before a convention of canal experts and enthusiasts from around the world.

Through the competition, they are looking to develop ideas for programs that promote the Canal as a tourist destination while at the same time could help keep it financially sustainable.

The competition involves two separate tracks, one for infrastructure; the other for ways to increase recreational use and tourism.

Finalists will each receive $50,000 to implement their ideas for a second round, where they will work with a municipality along the canal or a non-profit engaged in canal-related work.

Two or more winners will get between $250,000 and $1.5 million to plan their and implement their projects.

Submissions for the first round are due Dec. 4. The final winners will be announced in the Spring of 2018.

For more information, go to www.reimaginethecanals.com.

rkarlin@timesunion.com 518 454 5758 @RickKarlinTU