[vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” box_shadow_on_row=”no”][vc_column][vc_column_text]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 7, 2017
Annapolis, MD: Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town & South County joins the Hogan Administration in announcing 4 new grants totaling $219,000 to local Annapolis and Anne Arundel County non-profit organizations by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA). The 4 local grants are among 50 matching grants totaling $2.695 million that were awarded to Maryland non-profits, local jurisdictions and other heritage tourism organizations including museums, and historic preservation, natural resources, cultural, and educational organizations. These grant funds support heritage tourism projects, historic preservation, natural resource protection and educational programs and activities that expand economic development and tourism-related job creation. MHAA oversees Maryland’s system of 13 locally-administered, State-certified Heritage Areas, which are places to experience – see, hear and even taste – the authentic heritage of Maryland in a unique way that cannot be experienced anywhere else.
These grants, given for the last 20 years, produce economic activity in areas that contribute to Maryland’s cultural heritage. By supporting capital projects and educational activities, the grants stimulate interest in Maryland culture from residents and visitors. “Heritage tourism fosters sustainable business development and job creation, while making our communities more attractive places to live in and visit,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “I congratulate Maryland’s 13 Certified Heritage Areas and their tourism partners on these grant awards that will contribute to our economy and improve quality of life for Marylanders all across our state.” Funded projects in the Four Rivers Heritage Area include:
• Non-Capital grant to Annapolis Maritime Museum, Inc., “AMM’s Exhibit: ‘White Gold: Fishing and Farming the Maryland Oyster’,” $35,000
• Non-Capital grant to Historic Annapolis, Inc., for ‘A History of Annapolis in 99 Objects’: Exhibit Design and Development,” $50,000
• Non-Capital grant to Lost Towns Project, Inc., for “A Multi-Media Enhancement of Four Rivers’ African-American Heritage Trail,” $34,000
In addition, Four Rivers received a Management grant for $100,000, making a total of $219,000 in MHAA funding to the Four Rivers Heritage Area for FY18, for projects totaling more than $481,000. The Management grant to the Four Rivers Heritage Area supports activities such as the annual mini-grants program, the annual heritage awards, regional interpreter training, networking meetings for site directors and managers, educational workshops, online resources, and new collaborative initiatives.
For a complete list of grant recipients statewide, click here: 2017-0707-PressRelease-FY18-heritage-area-grants . Download the Four Rivers Press Release about the grants here: FY18 MHAA Grants to Four Rivers — Press Release. For more information, visit the Four Rivers website at www.chesapeakecrossroads.org, or contact Executive Director Carol Benson at 410-222-1805.
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