Four Rivers Announces Important Grant Opportunity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Carol Benson (410) 222-1805 cell (410) 627-6018 Four Rivers Heritage Area Announces Grant Opportunity ANNAPOLIS, MD (January 24, 2013)  Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town & South County announces an important upcoming grant opportunity. The fiscal year 2014 Maryland Heritage Areas Authority grant round is under way. Capital and non-capital Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) matching project grants of up to $100,000 are available through Four Rivers for projects that are heritage-related. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and local jurisdictions within the heritage area. Proposed activities must address or complete a priority activity identified in and consistent with the goals, objectives, strategies and actions outlined in the approved heritage area Management Plan, and/or our 5-Year Action Plan for FY 2013-2018. The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants to non-profit organizations and governments for capital and non-capital projects located within a Maryland Certified Heritage Area (CHA). Grants can support projects involving historical, cultural, or natural resources, sites, events, or facilities. Eligible projects must have a heritage tourism component, for example the project involves a visitor destination such as a museum, visitor center, or nature center; helps to provide facilities and services that support heritage tourism, such as rehabilitating a historic building as a Bed & Breakfast, restaurant, or other tourism related retail use; or is an event that will help to create a long-term increase in visitation to the Heritage Area. Applicants must discuss their proposal with heritage area staff prior to application submission. An Intent to Apply form is due to the heritage area office by 5 p.m. on February 8, 2013. Full details on the grant opportunity, including the application files, are available at www.mht.maryland.gov/grants_heritagearea.html. The completed application packages must be received in the Four Rivers Heritage Area office in the Arundel Center, 44 Calvert Street, by close of business on Friday, March 1, 2013. A Four Rivers Heritage Area Grants Committee will review all applications for approval before forwarding them to the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority for consideration. MHAA awards will be announced in July 2013. For more information and to discuss potential projects, please contact Executive Director Carol Benson at 410-222-1805.