Award Will Be Used to Conduct a Feasibility & Planning Study for a Four-Season Indoor Aquatic Park Along Lake Erie 

POWER Initiative Supports Economic Diversification Projects in Designated Appalachian Communities

The New York Department of State today announced a $35,000 award to the City of Dunkirk through the federal Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER Initiative. The POWER Initiative directs federal resources to economic diversification projects in Appalachian communities affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations and coal-related supply chain industries.

“The Appalachian Regional Commission’s POWER Initiative is helping communities in Appalachian New York that have been severely impacted by the downturn of the coal industry to attract new sources of investment,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “This award will help Dunkirk assess future opportunities for economic diversification and growth, putting the City on a path toward becoming a key tourism destination for the region. Congratulations to the City of Dunkirk, and I look forward to seeing the outcome of this important study.”

This funding will be used by the City of Dunkirk to conduct a feasibility and planning study for a four-season indoor aquatic park at a 1.8-acre site along Lake Erie. This project will help the city pursue and prepare for a large, year-round tourism attraction, with the potential to create hundreds of jobs and draw thousands of visitors to the area.

The City, who owns the property, will engage an experienced consultant to provide analysis and market data to determine the market feasibility, economic models and analysis for the development, construction and operation of the park to drive tourism and visitors to the City of Dunkirk.

The final report will include:

• An assessment of the potential economic impact of a four-season water park on the local and regional economy;
• A study of the regional tourism market and local economic environment to accommodate an aquatic park;
• Financial analysis for construction and 10-year operating pro forma;
• Recommendations for amenities, attractions, accommodations and facilities; and
• An analysis of available funding opportunities for implementation.

Dunkirk Mayor Wilfred Rosas said, “I want to thank the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) for the 2023 Power Initiative Grant award and our city’s Department of Planning & Development under the leadership of Director Vince DeJoy for grant writing and his ability to assemble a team of public and private partners to help fund the feasibility, economic impact, and market analysis study to create a year round attraction on our Lake Erie waterfront. Additionally, I wish to acknowledge the critical financial collaboration with Chautauqua County Industrial Agency and the ownership group of the Clarion Hotel for providing match funding for the study.  The ARC grant is very timely as Dunkirk is exploring the highest and best use for this very valuable city owned property, and this study will address the question: is an indoor waterpark financially feasible in Dunkirk, New York.  Finally, we are deeply grateful for the NY Department of State and Southern Tier West for their invaluable assistance for Dunkirk as a coal impacted community to help redevelop the former NRG powerplant and the waterfront with ARC grant funding opportunities.”

Chautauqua County Executive Paul M. Wendel, Jr. said, “I’m excited about the opportunity for the city of Dunkirk. This grant will enable a study to bring Fourseason recreation to the shores of Lake Erie. This initiative is the growth and expansion we are looking for to increase our tourism attraction throughout Chautauqua County. I’m excited for this opportunity and can’t wait to see what the study provides.”

The POWER Initiative – or Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization Initiative - provides federal resources to leverage entrepreneurship, workforce development efforts and infrastructure projects to bolster job training and reemployment opportunities, create jobs in existing or new industries and attract new sources of private investment in coal-impacted communities. To date, POWER has invested over $5.5 million into 10 projects across the State’s Southern Tier and Western New York Regions, making improvements to broadband connectivity and assisting to prepare individuals for careers in entrepreneurship, broadband, tourism and other sectors. A list of past projects is available here.

About the Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development agency of the federal government and 13 state governments focusing on 423 counties across the Appalachian Region. ARC's mission is to innovate, partner and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia to help the Region achieve socioeconomic parity with the nation.

New York counties eligible for ARC grants include: Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Schoharie, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga and Tompkins.

New York’s 14 county ARC Program is administered within the DOS Division of Local Government Services and is assisted at the local level by the region’s three Local Development Districts. For more information on programs administered by the Department of State’s Division of Local Government Services, go to https://dos.ny.gov/services-and-support.