04/30/2026
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 29, 2026
Contact: Sarah Ball, [email protected], (630) 392-0147
Lucille W. Walker, [email protected], (301) 343-2771
Maryland Lifts the Cap on Heritage Tourism Funding, Setting Stage for Economic Boost
With a proven $7 return on every $1 invested, Maryland's Heritage Areas Program is now positioned to deliver even greater impact for communities across the state.
Annapolis, Md. — Gov. Wes Moore signed legislation into law that lifts the statutory funding cap for Maryland's Heritage Areas Program from $6 million to $12 million. This bipartisan legislation, which was unanimously passed in the Senate, strengthens Maryland’s position as a tourism leader by removing outdated constraints to the program's growth. This law will create the flexibility needed to increase investment without requiring new spending or affecting the current state budget.
"Maryland's heritage areas preserve the places and stories that connect us to who we are as a state. For nearly 30 years, this program has supported that work and delivered real economic results for communities from the western mountains to the Eastern Shore,” said Lucille Walker, co-chair of the Maryland Heritage Areas Coalition and executive director of the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area. “Today, thanks to the bipartisan leadership of our champions in the Senate and House of Delegates, and Gov. Moore's decision to sign this bill, the program can finally grow alongside the communities it serves.”
The new law addresses a growing gap between demand and capacity for program grants that support the state’s booming heritage tourism industry. In the most recent grant cycle, communities across Maryland submitted more than $12 million in eligible funding requests, more than double what the program could support under its existing $6 million cap. As project costs have risen and community interest has grown, the cap increasingly left worthy projects without a path to funding.
The Maryland Heritage Areas Program funds projects, partnerships, historic sites, museums, trails, events, and local revitalization efforts that support 40,000 jobs and yield $2.4 billion in annual economic activity across the state. Generating $319.8 million in annual tax revenue and delivering a $7 return on every $1 invested, the program is a proven economic driver in every county across Maryland.
Maryland is one of only two states in the nation with a comprehensive, state-based heritage area program, leading the nation in leveraging cultural and historic heritage as a tool for economic development.
The Coalition thanks the following legislators for their leadership in advancing the bill:
Maryland Senate: Sens. Paul D. Corderman, Jack Bailey, Jason C. Gallion, Johnny Ray Salling, William G. Folden, Brian W. Simonaire, Malcolm Augustine, Guy Guzzone, Shelly Hettleman, J.B. Jennings, Nancy J, King, Karen Lewis Young, Cory V. McCray, Jim Rosapepe, and Craig J. Zucker
House of Delegates: Dels. Dylan Behler, Jim Hinebaugh Jr., Nick Allen, Michele Guyton, Marvin E. Holmes, Jay A. Jacobs, Robbyn Lewis, Todd B. Morgan, Darrell Odom, and Dana Stein
The bill, SB0638/HB0654, takes effect July 1, 2026. For more information about the Maryland Heritage Areas Program, visit marylandheritageareas.org.
Photos from the bill signing ceremony can be found here.
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About the Maryland Heritage Areas Coalition
The Maryland Heritage Areas Coalition is an alliance that brings together representatives from each of Maryland’s 13 state-certified heritage areas. As a collective voice, the Coalition works to advocate for strong support and awareness of the Maryland Heritage Areas Program, fair and consistent funding and grantmaking policies by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, and the resources our organizations and communities need to employ heritage tourism for economic development. The Coalition's work is grounded in the belief that understanding, preserving and sharing Maryland’s multi-faceted history, culture, landscapes and waterways is about more than honoring the past—it's about building a stronger, more vibrant future for Maryland.
About the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area
As a newly designated National Heritage Area, the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area represents Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, and southern Prince George’s Counties with a mission to enhance the region through innovative heritage tourism experiences, comprehensive cultural and natural resource conservation, and excellence in educational opportunities. To learn more, visit our website.
