Howe Caverns broke ground Thursday on its planned $3 million Howe High Adventure expansion.
John Lemery, president of Howes Cave Development used the ceremonial event—work is already underway on a high ropes course, zip line, and the gemstone mining building—to announce that the project is receiving a $100,000 grant from Empire State Development.
“We’re very pleased and grateful they’ve agreed to be partners with us in this,” Mr. Lemery told the small group of well-wishers, adding, “It’s a testament to New York State’s willingness to invest in Schoharie County.”
Mr. Lemery praised Schoharie County Planning & Development Director Alicia Terry for “moving mountains” for Howe Caverns’ expansion; Ms. Terry said the project will be “game-changing.”
The county is still struggling to recover from the loss of 75 percent of its manufacturing base with the 2001 closing of Guilford Mills, Ms. Terry said; Department of Labor statistics show 60 percent of the county is underemployed, she added.
The 48 new seasonal jobs the EDA grant is expected to create will be a big step in changing that, she said.
Kenneth Tompkins, ESD Mohawk Valley regional director, said he and his boss, Governor Andrew Cuomo, are excited about Howe High Adventure and the jobs it will grow.
“This will be a very important contribution to the tourism economy of New York State,” Mr. Tompkins said.
“We’re pleased to be a partner and we congratulate Howes Cave Development for getting what’s a pretty big dream off the ground.”
Assemblyman Pete Lopez, Supervisors Chairman Harold Vroman, and Cobleskill Supervisor Tom Murray were also among those applauding the expansion.
“This project is going to be a major economic driver in the region and the state’s economies for years to come,” Mr. Murray said.
Thursday’s ceremony was held on the eve of the 82nd anniversary of the Caverns’ reopening to the public and the 169th anniversary of its discovery by Lester Howe.
In addition to the high ropes course, zip line, and gemstone mining building, the first phase of the expansion includes an outdoor pavilion and a new concession facility.
Future expansion will include “Dinosaur Canyon,” featuring life-size animatronic dinosaurs, a special-effects theater, and more.