Finger Lakes Institute Funded

Provided by Mike Nozzolio
New York State Senator

The Finger Lakes region has been recognized as one of the most beautiful and exciting destinations in the entire country. With this national identity comes a responsibility to ensure the future vitality and viability of our region. That is why I was pleased to recently announce a $1 million State grant to support the creation of the Finger Lakes Institute, located at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva.

The Finger Lakes Institute's mission is to preserve, protect and promote the Finger Lakes and advance the economic, environmental, and tourism potential of the region through research and education.

The development of this world-class Institute has the potential to drive economic revitalization and tourism, improve our communities, protect our environment, and expand educational opportunities for area students, from middle school, to high school, to college.

The Finger Lakes Institute will partner with local governments, lakeshore property owners, watershed protection groups, tourism agencies and regional environmental research centers, from Finger Lakes and Cayuga Community Colleges, to Cornell and Syracuse Universities, in protecting the ecology of the Finger Lakes and overseeing development along the lakes. The Finger Lakes are an integral part of our past and our future. This Institute will serve as an important resource for our region, ensuring the integrity of the Finger Lakes for centuries to come.