Two grant applications submitted by The Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area Maryland Heritage Area were awarded funding by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA), totaling $129,631. MHAA awarded 109 matching grants totaling nearly $5 million to Maryland nonprofit organizations, local jurisdictions and tourism groups. The grants fund historic preservation, natural resource protection and educational programs in 13 state-designated Heritage Areas. By supporting capital projects and educational activities, the grants spawn renewed interest in Maryland culture from residents and visitors, boosting tourism-related jobs.
Kim Folk, Heritage Area & Groups Director said, “We received applications for impactful projects from organizations in our heritage area this year and we are thrilled to have two projects awarded in a very competitive round of applications. These grants will allow the recipients to expand awareness of heritage here in Garrett County.”
One hundred thirty-eight (138) applications were submitted to MHAA totaling over $7.6 million in requested funds.
Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area projects funded were:
- Town of Oakland ($29,631) – Heritage Trail Improvements
- Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area ($100,000) – Management Grant for management services of the certified heritage area with a goal to promote heritage tourism.
The Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area is a program of the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce and provides the one-to-one match for the management and marketing grants. The Garrett County Heritage Area & Groups Director administers the Heritage Area Program and works with stakeholders by offering technical and grant assistance for heritage related initiatives that preserve valuable heritage resources and enhance tourism in the County.
The Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area supports heritage tourism in Garrett County through technical assistance and grant opportunities with a focus on heritage related initiatives that preserve valuable heritage resources and enhance tourism in the County. As a state certified heritage area, effort is made to create public and private partnerships to preserve historical, cultural and natural resources focusing on under-utilized resources fostering a greater sense of community pride.
“Being a state certified heritage area provides us access to funds without which many of the projects awarded would be unable to proceed,” said Folk. “The funding also allows us to promote heritage and cultural attractions in our community and attract visitors to our area.
The Mountain Maryland Gateway to the West Heritage Area has secured more than $1.3 million in funding from MHAA over the last seven years.
