CANTON -- Community Bank has bought a title sponsorship for the 2017 Empire State Winter Games in February.

The bank made the announcement Wednesday at its head offices in Canton.

The Empire State Winter Games will bring together more than 1,900 athletes from across New York and beyond to compete in 19 winter sports at various venues. They will take place Feb. 2-5.

Officials of the games expect an increase in audience, as well as more participants in all sports, from the classics, such as figure skating, to the newer big air and snow bike competitions.

New for 2017 is a “marathon skate” on Mirror Lake, and many more adaptive sports of all kinds will be added to the schedule.

The bank is supporting the community-driven multiday sporting event, which is event officials claim will have a nearly $3 million economic impact on the North Country and Adirondack regions.

Community Bank, which celebrated its 150th anniversary this spring, was founded in 1866 as S.D. Hungerford & Co. Bank and later renamed St. Lawrence County National Bank. It all began with one branch location and a few employees in Canton.

The bank was renamed Community Bank N.A. in the early 1990s.

Community Bank N.A. has nearly 200 locations across New York and northeast Pennsylvania, and more than 2,000 employees.

“Community Bank is proud to support the 2017 Empire State Winter Games, which continue to promote tourism and economic development in our communities,” CEO Mark Tryniski said in a prepared statement. “The games have a profound impact on both our region and the participants, and I am excited to see what the 2017 event brings.”

For more information about the Empire State Winter Games, visit empirestatewintergames.com