Governor Wes Moore announced 87 matching grant awards totaling $5.19 million for Maryland nonprofits, local jurisdictions, and heritage tourism organizations by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. Grant funding will support heritage tourism projects and activities and expand economic development and tourism-related jobs across Maryland.
“The state’s 13 designated heritage areas are one of the primary tools used to encourage heritage tourism,” said Nicholas Redding, president & CEO of Preservation Maryland. “Heritage tourists stay longer and spend more than any other travelers, so an investment in Maryland Heritage Areas is an investment in an effective economic development tool and a more prosperous Maryland.”
The Heritage Areas Program provides $2.4 billion in annual economic benefit and MHAA grants generate $319.8 million in state and local taxes while supporting 33,815 full- and part-time jobs annually.
“The Maryland Heritage Areas Program is a deeply important cultural and economic asset to the state, contributing immeasurably to our collective and individual senses of place, identity, and revealing the stories of all of its people within a broader socio-political context,” said Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Rebecca L. Flora. “I am extremely proud of the FY25 Maryland Heritage Areas Program grantees who embody and celebrate our shared history and heritage by telling the stories of Maryland’s diverse communities in authentic and engaging ways. Their success in doing so creates and preserves a vibrant array of authentic places that people love to visit, which drives cultural tourism, and the sustainable growth of the Maryland economy.”
All 24 jurisdictions have at least part of one state-certified heritage area within their boundaries. Heritage areas foster broad public-private partnerships to preserve and enhance Maryland’s historic sites and towns, unspoiled natural landscapes, diverse histories, and enduring traditions. Maryland’s heritage areas contribute to the state’s economy by preserving and enhancing the places that attract local and out-of-state tourists.
A full list of the FY25 grants is available at mht.maryland.gov.