SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo is launching an effort to improve the New York State Canal System by holding a competition that will award up to $2.5 million to entrants who come up with the best ideas. The Democrat made the announcement Monday as the World Canals Conference got underway in Syracuse. Cuomo says the contest will be a global competition to find the best ways to re-imagine the 524-mile canal system whose main component is the Erie Canal.