Rome, New York Canal. On July 4, 1817 construction on the canal began in Rome. The Erie Canal reaches a summit in Rome, attaining an elevation of 420 feet. The first phase was completed in 1825, connecting the Hudson River by waterway to the Great Lakes. It resulted in an increase in trade and traffic between communities around the Great Lakes and New York City, stimulating development along the route. Jesse Williams founded the first cheese factory in the United States at Rome in 1851. Williams also developed the process used today for large-scale cheese manufacturing. There were numerous dairy farms in the
Ribble Link Trust Fazakerley, chairman of the Ribble Link Trust. In the Waterways Renaissance Awards 2002, the Ribble Link Partnership won the Partnership category because it demonstrated the best public/private/community partnership. Ribble Link Trust The Ribble Link Trust is a waterway society, campaigners, instigators of and involved in the Ribble Link, a navigable waterway that connects the Lancaster Canal to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Lancashire, England, via the River Ribble. The Trust is a member of the Ribble Link Partnership which includes British Waterways, Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council. The construction was funded by: The Ribble Link was opened