So, whatever happened to the National Comedy Hall of Fame efforts? It seemed like there was momentum going and it was a matter of time. There hasn't been any news lately...what gives?
Fair enough, let's see if I can answer your concerns. As noted in past blog entries, the NCHOF was not included in the Empire State Development plans to secure funds to get the project going. In fact, no other toursim related project was included.
With that said, plan B was invoked to pursue private investors to secure the project and get it started. Right now, NCHOF principals are putting together the necessary documentation and business plans for a private investment group to review and develop a strategy to invest in the project. Tentatively, these investors are intersted in coming up to Niagara Falls sometime in May to look at potential sites and speak with local officials. It's too early to say but this is very encouraging in that...
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Edward
Friel, the "expert-in-residence" at Niagara University's College of
Hospitality & Tourism Management discusses the importance of tourism
for the Buffalo-Niagara area. Mr. Friel will be featured in an article
about Niagara Falls tourism in the January 29 edition of the Buffalo
News. Why is it we all understand the importance of tourism in Niagara Falls but politicians do not? Video interview with Mr. Friel at http://blogs.buffalonews.com/niagara_views/2012/01/tourism-in-buffalo-and-niagara-falls.html
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A
very interesting article about how a small museum sparked economic
development in the St. Petersburg, FL area of all places. All it takes
is a few people with a passion and vision to start it all. C'mon Niagara Falls, let's get off the pot and do the same for your community! Sign the petition and let your elected officials know that you want the National Comedy Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, NY.Treasures of the Czars Museum article
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Happy New Year!
Thank you to all who have signed and supported the effort to bring the National Comedy Hall of Fame ot Niagara Falls, NY. The project team is hoping 2012 proves to be a positive one with the acquisition of funding and beginning to build the NCHOF museum in Niagara Falls.
But we still need a huge push to obtain more signatures, in fact, our goal before January 31 is to reach 5,000 signatures and we need your help. If you haven't signed, please do but also let your friends, family, business contacts, etc know of this project and the need for their signatures and support.
Investors want to see the community excited about the prospect that this one-of-a-kind museum could be a worthwhile addition to the tourist attractions in the area.
What you could also do is email the local NYS assemblymen and senators urging them to use their influence to help with funding and support of the National Comedy Hall of...
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Alternate private funding is still being pursued with preliminary comments about the National Comedy Hall of Fame project and business plan being very positive. It appears some inital approval has been given but we remain cautiously optimistic that it can lead to a commitment to funding and the start of the Niagara Fall resurgence by mid-to late January 2012.
However, the public's support through this online petition is extremely critical to show the investors the Buffalo-Niagara community is behind the project. Please sign the petition, add your comments and tell your friends and family to do the same.
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So, the Western New York Regional office of the Empire State Development Agency has made their selections of priority project for the $200m in state funding and the National Comedy Hall of Fame was not among the projects. In fact, only one project, the Niagara Falls Experience Museum and Tourist Center, was even remotely related to tourism. So be it.
The NCHOF project planners are pursuing private funding avenues now to make this a reality in Niagara Falls. It is extremely important now for the community to step up to show private investors that the NCHOF is wanted in Niagara Falls and the Buffalo-Niagara region.
We need to demonstrate that their money will be a sound investment in the resurrgence of Niagara Falls and the business community. Jobs will be created from not only the NCHOF itself but also spin-off business to support the NCHOF (e.g., construction, suppliers, exhibit manufacturers, etc.) It will serve as a beacon to...
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The application deadline has passed and the next key date is Monday, November 14. At that time the Regional Councils will submit their final strategic plans to the Strategic Plan Review Committee for consideration.
These strategic plans will identify priority projects submitted through the CFA process that are eligible for the cometitive funding sources - $130 million in captical funding and $70 million in Excelsior Tax Credits
The regional Councils will also submit a list of final project endoorsements.
It is now more important than ever for this petition to obtain more community support through signatures to show the Regional Council this is a very important project for Niagara Falls and WNY and it should not be overlooked.
Please make friends, family, co-workers and your contacts aware of this petition and get them to sign it before Monday, November 14th.
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If anyone is interested in acquiring names on a petition the "good old fashioned way", follow this link to download or print an Adobe PDF version of the petition. You can get a hold of me through the Section6Runs web site.www.section6runs.com/NCHOF.htm
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Increase Tourism - Draw visitors from the major population centers of the eastern US and Canada - NYC, New Jersey, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, central NYS and other population centers within a days drive of Niagara Falls
Give back to the Community - Unlike other projects being proposed, the NCHOF is a 501-C3 organization and part of it's mission is to give back to the community in the form of charitable donations and scholarships.
Publicity - The publicity and marketing for Niagara Falls will be far and above more than any other proposed entertainment project and it won't cost the tourism agencies a dime. The annual HOF induction ceremony broadcast on national TV and in prime time, alone, will provide Niagara Falls with millions of dollars worth of marketing to an international audience.
Sustainability - Once the NCHOF calls Niagara Falls its home, celebrities will be able to contribute memorabilia and significant artifacts which will sustain the museum for years to...
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We've contacted the local media (e.g., Donn Esmonde, 97 Rock Star 102,.5, WBEN) colleges (Niagara, NCCC) and tourism groups (Visit Buffalo-Niagara, Niagara Tourism) to get their support behind the project but we are lagging in getting signatures on the petition. Please make every effort to let family and friends about the project and to ask them to sign the petition.
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