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Miami & Erie Canal Corridor Association
The Miami & Erie Canal Corridor Association (MECCA) works to preserve and enhance the Miami & Erie Canal Corridor as a viable resource; advancing the cultural, historical, natural, commerical, and recreational opportunities that exist along the corridor. The Miami & Erie Canal Corridor Association is a 501(c)(3) organization working on the development of the Miami & Erie Canal Hetiage Corridor. MECCA shall encourage local, state, regional, and nationwide recognition of the Miami & Erie Canal Corridor by: • Coordination and representing the interests of the citizens, corporate community, and government agencies in Allen, Auglaize, Miami, Shelby and Van Wert Counties, while extending both north and south of the current corridor to include other interested entities; • Working toward establishing a continuous physical link along or near the existing canal corridor; • Encouraging and assisting when able, the development of compatible economic ventures throughout the canal corridor; • Developing strong working relationships with corridor paretners to preserve and interpret the natural, recreational, and historical resources throughout the corridor; • Incorporating the needs and inititives of the local communities into the canal corridor plan through meetings with government and business leaders to enhance the quality of life along the corridor; • Promoting and developing educational programs which interpret the natural, historical, and recreational resources along the canal corridor. Memberships and Donations MECCA is supported by memberships and donations, which are fully tax-deductible. For information about donations see the Membership Page, or contact us at director@meccainc.org. Activities • Hosting public meetings and special presentations throughout the corridor from Delphos to Piqua. • Promoting the Heritage Corridor Concept through the quarterly newsletter, Towpath Times. • Progressing through the Ohio Heritage Area Program through the Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism. • Assisting in special projects such as the successful designation of Ohio State Route 66 as a State Scenic Byway. • Placing exhibits at county fairs, festivals, and conferences showcasing the Miami & Erie Canal corridor. • Producing and distributing corridor fact sheets, maps, and other related canal information. • Conducting Work Days along the canal in conjunction with ODNR- Division of Water. • Presenting information to service clubs, school groups and the general public through educational programs. What is MECCA? The Miami-Erie Canal Corridor Association (MECCA) is a 501 (c)(3) organization created in 1996 to champion the cause of the historic Miami-Erie Canal corridor in Western Ohio. MECCA is dedicated to raising awareness of the historical, educational, recreational and natural value of the canal greenway. The association also serves as a clearinghouse for canal related events and information. It is MECCA’s goal to be the representative voice of canal associated partners to local, state and federal government officials. Additional goals include garnering grassroots support for an enhanced canal, strengthening canal partnerships, and seeing the Miami-Erie Canal designated as both a State and National Heritage Corridor. MECCA is funded primarily by individual memberships. For more information about MECCA of current progress, please contact: meccadirector@nktelco.net |
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