Maryland Heritage Areas

Latest posts tagged in Advocacy

03/08/2023
By Dana Cohen

Preservation News: Sen. Cardin Introduces Tax Credit to Encourage Revitalization of Distressed Homes Nationwide

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.)have introduced legislation that would expand the Historic Tax Credit to foster economic growth and urban renewal, revitalizing housing in distressed neighborhoods nationwide. In 2021 Maryland passed state legislation that that made financial assistance available to help close appraisal gaps in historically redlined and disinvested neighborhoods.

02/22/2023
By Preservation Maryland

Advocacy Update: Mid-Session Preservation Report

As the Maryland General Assembly approaches the mid-point of its 90-day legislative session, Preservation Maryland is busy making preservation a priority and has much to report.

02/03/2023
By Preservation Maryland

Legislation Introduced to Create Preservation Partnership Fund in Maryland

Preservation Maryland is pleased to announce the organization’s priority legislation for the current session of the Maryland General Assembly aimed at accelerating support for challenging preservation projects around the state has been formally introduced by Sen. Sarah Elfreth and Del. Courtney Watson.

Maryland Heritage Areas

The Program: Maryland has 13 designated heritage areas, covering a portion of every county in the state and the City of Baltimore. Created in 1996, the heritage areas are one of the primary tools used to encourage heritage tourism to Maryland. In heritage areas individuals, businesses, non-profits and governments form partnerships to preserve the best of Maryland’s historic sites and towns, unspoiled natural landscapes and enduring traditions.

The Maryland Heritage Areas Program also provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants to nonprofit organizations and government entities for capital and non-capital projects located within their boundaries. Grants can support projects involving historical, cultural or natural resources, sites, events or facilities. Eligible projects must have must have a clear heritage tourism component.

The Challenge: Funding for this effective and popular program was raised last year to $6 million. This $6 million appropriation comes from Program Open Space – which itself is funded by a .5% transfer tax on real estate transactions in Maryland.

The goal moving forward is to maintain funding at $6 million annually to meet the growing needs of this important sector of Maryland’s tourism industry.

Our Position: Preservation Maryland believes the State of Maryland should increase their investment in heritage tourism. Visitors to Maryland spent over $14.9 billion, generating more than $2 billion in state and local tax revenue across Maryland in just one year. Studies have repeatedly found that heritage tourists stay longer and spend more than any other travelers, so an investment in the Maryland Heritage Areas is an investment in a great economic development tool and a more prosperous Maryland.

In 2017, Preservation Maryland successfully supported bi-partisan legislation that increased the $3 million cap on the program to a full $6 million cap, doubling the impact of the already powerfully successful program.

List of Heritage Area sites

Advocacy Issues Maryland Heritage Areas

Latest posts tagged in Advocacy

03/08/2023By Dana Cohen

Preservation News: Sen. Cardin Introduces Tax Credit to Encourage Revitalization of Distressed Homes Nationwide

02/22/2023By Preservation Maryland

Advocacy Update: Mid-Session Preservation Report

02/03/2023By Preservation Maryland

Legislation Introduced to Create Preservation Partnership Fund in Maryland