Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Makes Grant Awards of $336,000 to Local Heritage Organizations
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JULY 22, 2013
Annapolis, MD: Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town & South County joins Maryland officials in announcing 5 grants totaling $336,000 to local non-profits by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA). 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 12 locally-administered, State-certified Heritage Areas. Heritage Areas are places to experience – see, hear and even taste – the authentic heritage of Maryland in a unique way that cannot be experienced anywhere else. Stories of the people, the land and the waters of Maryland are told in these distinctive places.
These grants, given for the last 16 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. “Tourism is one of Maryland’s largest industries. By investing in initiatives like the Maryland Heritage Areas Program, our state’s cultural heritage tourism continues to impact our economy by creating jobs, generating tax revenue and increasing business income,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “We’re so proud to live in our great state, known as ‘America in Miniature’ since Maryland offers so much for visitors to enjoy.”
Four of our stakeholders received funding for capital grant projects. These projects are:
City of Annapolis, Pedestrian Component of Wayfinding Signage and Master Plan, capital grant award of $65,500
Charles Carroll House of Annapolis, Inc., Capital Repairs to the Charles Carroll House, capital grant award of $35,000
Historic Annapolis, Inc., Renovation of 1 Martin Street: Planning and Development, capital grant award of $45,500
Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Inc., Theater Window Restoration, capital grant award of $90,000
In addition, Four Rivers received a Management grant for $100,000, making a total of $336,000 in MHAA funding to our heritage area for FY14. The Management grant to the Four Rivers Heritage Area (ALTSCHA, Inc.) 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 more information about Four Rivers, visit our website at www.chesapeakecrossroads.org, or contact Executive Director Carol Benson at 410-222-1805. Please visit http://mht.maryland.gov/grants_heritagearea_FY14Awards.html for more information about the grant awards.