Seward Delivers $300k To Boost Tourism, Local Economy

COOPERSTOWN, 04/20/15 – State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I-Oneonta) today announced that the 2015-2016 state budget includes, at his insistence, $300,000 to assist The Glimmerglass Festival with a significant multi-year renovation project in Cooperstown. 

“The Glimmerglass Festival is a prime component of our local economy in Otsego County and throughout the region,” said Senator Seward.  “By further enhancing the visitor experience at The Glimmerglass Festival we will see an increase in return trips and positive word of mouth, which will help attract more tourists to the region.  This state investment will pay real dividends and will be a boost for our small businesses, hotels, restaurants and other area attractions.”

“Glimmerglass celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, and we are delighted to be able to honor our history and evolution from a grassroots organization to an international festival with improved patron amenities that will be undertaken over the next two years,” said The Glimmerglass Festival Board Chair Sherwin M. Goldman.  “The Festival now annually attracts thousands of visitors from throughout the state, the country and the world, and these upgrades and new provisions will greatly enhance their experience. We are deeply grateful to Senator Seward and New York State for this important grant and recognition of our economic impact on the local region and the state.”

“The Glimmerglass Festival is committed to improving the quality of life in the region and creating more jobs through culture,” said The Glimmerglass Festival Artistic & General Director Francesca Zambello. “We are thankful to Senator Seward and the state for the ongoing support toward these efforts.”

The funding secured by Senator Seward will assist The Glimmerglass Festival with several repairs and upgrades to the lobby, house-front pathway and other patron amenities over the course of several years.

“Every region of our state has something to boast and that means we need to keep improving to remain competitive.  In Otsego County, we are fortunate to have so many strengths and that includes The Glimmerglass Festival which continues to take new steps to grow as an economic and cultural leader,” Senator Seward concluded. 

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About The Glimmerglass Festival

Founded in 1975, The Glimmerglass Festival is a professional, non-profit organization presenting four new productions of opera and musical theater each summer. Glimmerglass attracts an international audience to the scenic Cooperstown, New York, area, where the talent of singers, directors, designers and staff from around the world converges to produce world-class productions. In 2015, the company celebrates its 40th anniversary with new productions of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Verdi’s Macbeth, Vivaldi’s Cato in Utica and Bernstein’s Candide. The 2015 Festival is rounded out with various events, such as concerts, master classes, a world premiere children’s opera and more. Visit www.glimmerglass.org for more information.