SC National Heritage Corridor

Members of Congress Form Caucus and Call for Greater Priority for National Heritage Areas

Washington, D.C.  -  Dozens of National Heritage Area supporters gathered from across the nation at the U.S. Capitol yesterday including representatives from the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor (SCNHC), Congressman Paul Tonko (NY), Congressman Charles Dent (PA), and other House of Representatives members. 
 
The group called for awareness of their need for Congress to give top priority to National Heritage Areas as a part of the remaining agenda for the 111th Congress and beyond. Backed by the Alliance of National Heritage Areas (ANHA), the congressmen stressed the need for the passage of program legislation to formally established NHAs as a part of the National Park System. In addition, the representatives emphasized the need for the appropriations for the FY2011 to remain at the levels appropriated for FY2010, and for funding to be available to all authorized NHAs.
 
"National Heritage Areas provide effective, high yield investment of federal funds; they match every federal dollar with an average of $5.50 in leveraged public and private funding," said Congressman Dent, who represents two NHAs in Pennsylvania.  Congressman Tonko elaborated that "NHAs work well in their regions, which is why communities continually come to Congress seeking National Heritage Areas designation."  Tonko's district includes the Erie Canalway National Heritage Area and the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area in New York.

Michelle McCollum, the director of the SCNHC and chairman of the Alliance of National Heritage Areas [ANHA], a trade group of the NHAs, strongly stressed the need for adequate funding for all NHAs.  "We recognize that the current economy is difficult, however, NHAs are job creators and revenue producers in their communities.  Cutting the budget to the program and eliminating funding to any NHA would exacerbate the fiscal difficulties that communities are experiencing and make the economic recovery of the nation more difficult."
 
"Severely reducing funding for National Heritage Areas throws away opportunities for economic growth and new jobs," the congressmen stated in a jointly issued press release.  A new U.S. Cultural and Heritage Tourism Marketing Council and the U.S. Department of Commerce study revealed that cultural heritage travelers contribute more than $192 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
 
The positive results for America are clear.  As public-private partnerships that protect nationally significant resources, NHAs are among the most efficient and sustainable programs within the Department of the Interior.  These projects are smart; they are green; and they are working.  Success is measured in the enhanced conservation of nationally significant resources along with their economic development benefits to the communities.  These programs use federal funds to leverage other public and private investments to create jobs, generate revenues for local governments and sustain local communities through revitalization and heritage tourism, while furthering the mission of the National Park Service.  They contribute to smart growth and are some of the best examples of green industry that Congress can endorse.

In addition, Congressman Tonko and Congressman Dent announced the formation of a new congressional caucus on National Heritage Areas.  With 49 NHAs now designated by Congress in 32 states nationwide, the congressional caucus will help better facilitate the communication and working relationship that members of Congress must have in order to make effective policy.  The congressional caucus will provide a permanent forum for all Members to share information and learn about issues that affect budgets, funding and policy for NHAs.  The caucus will become a clearinghouse for information disseminated to members on best practices and will help answer questions for other members looking to establish new NHAs in their regions of the country.