New Seaway Visitor Center offers new tourism opportunties

May 14—MASSENA — Speakers during Monday's grand opening of the new Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock say the new center will be a big boost for tourism opportunities in Massena and the north country.

Ross D. Levi, vice president and executive director of tourism at Empire State Development, said he was impressed with the region when he visited Massena in September 2022 for the groundbreaking on the new visitor center.

"At that time, I was so impressed with the beauty of the community, of this area, of this location, and now this state-of-the-art new visitor center will be able to capitalize on an amazing vantage point and provide an interactive and enlightening experience for guests from around the globe," he said.

Levi said they were happy to see new attractions like the Seaway Visitor Center open "because they allow us to keep sending the message that there is nowhere else in the world that can compare to a New York state vacation."

"That is especially true here in the 1,000 Islands Seaway Region," he said. "The visitor center will add to the dazzling array of attractions awaiting travelers, from island castles to waterside camping to freshwater beaches, world-class fishing, Native American cultural tours and scenic cruises. All this activity will continue to grow tourism as a vital economic pillar for New York state's economy."

Levi said tourism was the state's third largest industry, supporting more than 868 million jobs and generating an economic impact of $122 billion.

"The bottom line is that means for you saving every household in New York state $1,300 in taxes," he said.

He said they wold continue to work with local tourism partners in the area "to make sure people know about this wonderful new visitor center and all that awaits guests here in the 1,000 Islands."

"Together, we will make sure that visitors from around the state, from around the country, and indeed from around the world know how easy it is to love New York state, the St. Lawrence Seaway, and the entire 1,000 Islands Region," he said.

Among the local partners is the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, and Executive Director Benjamin R. Dixon said he was also excited about the opening of the new visitor center.

"The team at the chamber has been very anxiously awaiting this, so thank you for giving me the opportunity to share why that is," he said.

Dixon said one of the missions of the county chamber is to support tourism to enhance the quality of life in the county.

"In this role, our dedicated tourism team works closely with partners such as the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation. We have definitely had an enduring partnership with the Seaway," he said.

Dixon said the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce also works with the North Country Chamber of Commerce and the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators, as well as officials with I Love New York, who he said were "critical to our ability to get the word out about what we have here in St. Lawrence County."

"We work with these partners to showcase St. Lawrence County to visitors from across New York state, the rest of the United States, Canada and beyond. This is definitely what happens when we collaborate together. Great things happen," he said.

Dixon said tourism would directly support businesses in the hospitality and recreation areas.

"It also means more commerce. It means more occupancy and sales tax coming into our county. It means by developing as a tourism destination, we're also able to increase the vitality of our communities and our quality of life, thereby indirectly contributing to the attraction and retention of entrepreneurs, workforce, business and residents," he said.

He said the Eisenhower Lock represents the connection between St. Lawrence County, Massena and Cornwall, Ontario, to the rest of the world.

"And this place puts us on the map. Through these locks flows commerce and trade, to the locks flow visitors and tourists and residents, from the new visitor center grows awareness of our history and our place in the world and our quality of life," Dixon said.

He said the visitor center and the locks add to attractions already available on Barnhart Island, such as the Nicandri Nature Center and New York Power Authority's Hawkins Point Visitor Center.

"Visitors that come here can now explore the history and significance of the locks and the Seaway at this world class visitor center," he said. "They can go on to visit the Nicandri Nature Center down the street, Hawkins Point, launch a boat to go fishing on our waters, go to the beach, camp, rent a cabin and more."

Dixon said the visitor center "represents a crown jewel, and we are really poised to draw thousands, tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of visitors to St. Lawrence County and show what we are."

Massena Town Supervisor Susan J. Bellor said the interactive displays at the Seaway Visitor Center will be a hit for all ages, "which will only enhance the growth, education and legacy of our local community."

"The St. Lawrence Seaway is a very important investment in Massena historically and economically with the many thousands of visitors annually. Massena is also a great place for community residents to teach their children about the Seaway," she said. "Thank you for continuing to support all of us with this new and impressive visitor center."