Maryland Heritage Areas Program Funding Under Attack - Needs Our Help

Partners, Advocates, Elected Officials - we need your help.  The funding for the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority has been proposed to be cut by $1.5 million dollars in the coming legislative session.  That means general matching grants for our region have almost no chance of being funded unless we fight to save these funds.  The good news, if there is any, is that this cut is under the “Budget Reconciliation and Finance Act” or “BRFA.”  (Sounds like “burfa.”) That means the legislature can turn down this proposed cut and keep funding at its full level. 

We need your help by contacting your state legislators. They need to know your projects – past, present and future which will attract visitors and residents; which will bring dollars to their district; and which requires matching funds – are critical to supporting the growth of this region and supporting the transformation through economic development.  We need you to do the thing you are great at – pulling together for heritage - and help save these funds, funds which should be awarded to your organization now and in the future.

ATHA Inc. has been in a re-birth mode.  We are about to roll out some major changes – support for bike tourism, better business connections, the War of 1812 celebration, new tour brochures, improved wayfinding programs, a stronger website, and improved marketing for the region.  Our marketing plan suggests we may be able to increase our visitation by 100,000 in the next two years – representing nearly $10,000,000 in new funds for the region.  Taken another way, those visitors represents as many as 600 new jobs.  Remember Heritage Tourism = Jobs!

Please see information  below – a fact sheet and a committee contact document.  I hope they make the process easier.  I also note that we have a Senate meeting on Friday at 1pm which could use your support if you are available.  If you are interested in attending, please contact me and I can give you the details.  If you are interested in writing a letter, I would be glad to send you a “draft” letter for your editing which might make the process easier. 

Thank you for your time and support and please help save the funds that should be coming back to you!

Aaron

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Aaron Marcavitch, Executive Director

Anacostia Trails Heritage Area

4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781

301-887-0777 tel / 301-887-1077 fax

www.anacostiatrails.org

www.battleofbladensburg1812.org

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@ATHeritageArea

Facebook keyword: Anacostia Trails Heritage Area

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2012 MD State Budget Committees

Contact Information

1

 MARYLAND HERITAGE AREAS PROGRAM

FY2013 Budget Request

Ask the Governor and your Legislators to support funding for the

Maryland Heritage Areas Program

What:

Heritage Areas are places to experience - to see, hear and even taste - the authentic heritage of Maryland in a unique way that you cannot experience anywhere else. Heritage Areas are where the stories of the people, the land and the waters of Maryland, which have been intertwined for thousands of years, are told. In Heritage Areas individuals, businesses, non-profits and governments form partnerships to preserve the best of Maryland’s historic sites and towns, unspoiled natural landscapes and enduring traditions. These tangible links to both place and the past encourage residents to recognize they have a special piece of the American story to treasure and share with others, and that in doing so they create more livable and economically sustainable communities.

Through grants, loans, tax incentives and technical assistance, the Maryland Heritage Areas Program supports the economic well-being of Maryland’s communities by preserving and celebrating the State’s history, cultural traditions and natural resources through partnerships that promote, support and create place-based experiences for visitors and residents alike.

Why:

• SUPPORTING LOCAL PROJECTS: Since its creation in 1996, the Maryland Heritage Areas program has awarded approximately $24.3 million to governments and nonprofit organizations through a competitive grants process for heritage tourism projects.

• LEVERAGING FUNDS: In the last six years, $14,203,876 in Heritage Area grants has leveraged $41,126,235 in non-State matching support – about a 3:1 match!

• RETURN ON INVESTMENT: Every State dollar invested in heritage tourism in Maryland returns $4.61 in tax revenues to State and local governments.

• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: The Maryland Heritage Areas Program provides loans and tax credits to small businesses, and also grants to nonprofit and government run historical, cultural and natural area attractions and activities that draw more visitors to Maryland. Studies show these heritage tourists stay longer and spend more money than most visitors.

• PARTNERSHIP BUILDING: Heritage areas support partnership building with regional joint efforts and networking opportunities that leverage funds and focus resources on community priorities.

• TARGETING INVESTMENT: In alignment with statewide priorities, capital grant funding and other financial incentives are directed to Target Investment Zones where there is a high potential to leverage private investment in focused heritage tourism locations with major attractions and clusters of visitor services.

• SAVING MARYLAND FOR MARYLANDERS AND OUR VISITORS: Every part of the State has its own unique character, special places and traditions. Heritage areas save and celebrate these one of a kind Maryland treasures for residents as well as visitors – a truly exceptional tool for supporting economic development through tourism while maintaining a high quality of life for all Marylanders!

SENATE

Capital Budget Subcommittee

Chair: James E. DeGrange, Sr.

James Senate Office Building, Room 101
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3593, (301) 858-3593
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3593 (toll free)
e-mail: james.degrange@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3589, (301) 858-3589

Vice Chair: Douglas J. J. Peters

James Senate Office Building, Room 121
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3631, (301) 858-3631
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3631 (toll free)
e-mail: douglas.peters@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3174, (301) 858-3174

Richard F. Colburn

James Senate Office Building, Room 315 (for Jan. 2012, temporarily in Room 117)
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3590, (301) 858-3590
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3590 (toll free)
e-mail: richard.colburn@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3087, (301) 858-3087

Ulysses Currie

James Senate Office Building, Room 201
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(301) 858-3127, (410) 841-3127
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3127 (toll free)
e-mail: ulysses.currie@senate.state.md.us
fax: (301) 858-3733, (410) 841-3733

George C. Edwards

James Senate Office Building, Room 322
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3565, (301) 858-3565; 1-800-492-7122, ext. 3565 (toll free)
e-mail: george.edwards@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3552, (301) 858-3552

Nancy J. King

James Senate Office Building, Room 222
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3686, (301) 858-3686
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3686 (toll free)
e-mail: nancy.king@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3670, (301) 858-3670

Nathaniel J. McFadden

Miller Senate Office Building, Room 422
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3165, (301) 858-3165
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3165 (toll free)
e-mail: nathaniel.mcfadden@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3138, (301) 858-3138

HOUSE

Transportation and the Environment Subcommittee

Chair: Tawanna P. Gaines

House Office Building, Room 416
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3058, (301) 858-3058
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3058 (toll free)
e-mail: tawanna.gaines@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3119, (301) 858-3119

Vice Chair: Steven J. DeBoy

House Office Building, Room 306
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3328, (301) 858-3328
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3328 (toll free)
e-mail: steven.deboy@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3007, (301) 858-3007

Susan L. M. Aumann

House Office Building, Room 303
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3258, (301) 858-3258
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3258 (toll free)
e-mail: susan.aumann@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3163, (301) 858-3163

Wendell R. Beitzel

House Office Building, Room 410B
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3435, (301) 858-3435
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3435 (toll free)
e-mail: wendell.beitzel@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3040, (301) 858-3040

James E, Proctor, Jr.

House Office Building, Room 121
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3083, (301) 858-3083
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3083 (toll free)
e-mail: james.proctor@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3459, (301) 858-3459

Mary L. Washington

House Office Building, Room 315
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3476, (301) 858-3476
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3476 (toll free)
e-mail: mary.washington@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3295, (301) 858-3295

Craig J. Zucker

House Office Building, Room 224
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3380, (301) 858-3380
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3380 (toll free)
e-mail: craig.zucker@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3266, (301) 858-3266