ELLICOTT CITY, MD—The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) announced matching grants totaling $232,857 for Patapsco Valley Heritage Area (PVHA) non-profits. The grant funds support heritage tourism projects and activities that draw visitors and expand economic development and tourism-related opportunities in the Patapsco Valley. The Moore Administration announced that matching grants totaling $5 million were awarded to Maryland nonprofits, local jurisdictions, and other heritage tourism organizations by MHAA and that the total match to be leveraged is over $21 million. These FY24 funds support heritage tourism projects and activities that draw visitors and expand economic development and tourism-related job creation throughout Maryland.
Funded projects in the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area include:
- Catonsville Rails to Trails, Inc. – Creating the Catonsville Short Line Art & History Trail, $31,000
- Community College of Baltimore County Foundation, Inc. – Preserving historical artifacts and illuminating the rich heritage of Catonsville, $58,037
- Howard County Conservancy, Inc.- Outdoor performances to attract new visitors, $6,820
In addition, Patapsco Heritage Greenway (PHG) received a management grant for $100,000, a block grant for $25,000, and a marketing grant for $12,000. PHG’s management grant supports organizational operations and staffing. The marketing grant will help promote and highlight heritage tourism opportunities for visitors to the PVHA. All funds from the block grant will be used to support mini-grants to PVHA partners and stakeholders. The application window for mini-grants will open later this summer.