FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 24, 2013
For further information contact:
Matt Davison, 716.604.7772
md@amdgpublicaffairs.com
Niagara Falls Bridge Commission Celebrates 75th Year of Service
LEWISTON, NY/QUEENSTON, ON – On Thursday, October 24th, 2013, the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) hosted a commemorative binational reception and ceremony in honor of its official 75th corporate anniversary.
“To properly acknowledge and pay tribute to 75 years of effective, bi-national service to the Western New York and Southern Ontario regions, the Commission is pleased to have organized an official ceremony and a number of exciting celebratory activities throughout the calendar year,” said NFBC Chairperson Thomas G. Pryce. “I would like to thank all those individuals who, over the years, have helped contribute to our mission of facilitating commerce and the movement of goods and people in a safe and efficient manner.”
The NFBC owns, maintains and operates the Rainbow, Whirlpool-Rapids, and Lewiston-Queenston Bridges. The Commission is comprised of an eight-member Board consisting of four United States and four Canadian representatives. Initially established in 1938 to finance, construct and operate the Rainbow Bridge, the Commission’s efficient and effective management of that bridge led to an extension of responsibilities over the Whirlpool-Rapids (Lower Arch) and Lewiston-Queenston Bridges.
With the exception of one-time capital contributions from Canada and Ontario for the fifth lane on the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge and from Canada for the new Canada Border Services Agency facilities at Queenston, the NFBC does not use taxpayer dollars and operates solely through the collection of tolls as well as private and public-sector tenant leases. The NFBC strongly supports the continued growth of trade and tourism between Canada and the United States.
“A defining characteristic of our region is the many international bridge spans that connect our communities both culturally and economically,” said NFBC Vice Chairperson Ernest K. Smith. “The Commission is proud of our role in ensuring that these important connections stay viable today, tomorrow, and well into the future.”
To mark the 75th anniversary occasion, local border operators, community leaders, dignitaries, and NFBC representatives gathered at the Rainbow Bridge Promenade for a reception and series of formal remarks and commemorations. An anniversary video montage and Paul Hanover painting of the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge were unveiled, and the reception concluded with a reading of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission 75th Anniversary joint-commendation offered by Member of Parliament and Minister of Defence of Canada Rob Nicholson, U.S. Congressman Brian Higgins, and U.S. Congressman Chris Collins.
Earlier this year, a celebratory website was launched at www.nfbc75.com to commemorate the NFBC 75th Anniversary and corresponding Lewiston-Queenston 50th Anniversary, while special t-shirts were also issued and put on sale to the public in support of select regional food banks. An art-deco designed poster was created for free public download and a public fireworks display was coordinated through the Niagara Parks Commission on August 23rd over the Horseshoe Falls with thousands of spectators taking part. Numerous “interesting historic facts” about the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission and Lewiston-Queenston Bridge were also made available to the general public and local media outlets on a weekly basis.
About the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission:
A Joint Resolution of the 1938 U.S. Congressional Third Session created the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission. The Extra Provincial Corporations Act of the Province of Ontario, Canada licenses the NFBC. Canada and the U.S. are equally represented on the NFBC by an eight-member Board of Commissioners. Initially established to finance, construct and operate the Rainbow Bridge, the Commission proved sufficiently efficient and effective to assume responsibilities for the Whirlpool Rapids (Lower) and Lewiston-Queenston Bridges. The NFBC builds and maintains all facilities for Customs and Immigration functions on both sides of the international border. The NFBC is self-supportive, largely through user fees (tolls) and private-sector tenant leases. NFBC is federally chartered to conduct international commercial financial transactions and issue federal (U.S.) tax-exempt bonds.
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Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
5365 Military Road, Lewiston, NY 14092
P.O. Box 395, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6T8
Phone: 905-354-5641 or 716-285-6322 Fax: 716-282-3292 or 905-354-6644
□ http://www.niagarafallsbridges.com/ □ Twitter: @NiagaraBridges □
□ http://www.niagarafallsbridges75.com/ □