Maryland’s Heritage Areas
Deliver Big Returns for Local Communities
Maryland’s 13 Heritage Areas are economic powerhouses: drawing visitors, boosting local businesses, supporting jobs, and generating $319.8 million in tax revenue that benefits communities across our state.
The current Maryland Heritage Areas Program funding level of $6 million delivers strong returns. More than $5.1 million flows directly back into Maryland communities each year, supporting projects, partnerships, historic sites, museums, trails, events, and local revitalization work.
An Outdated Funding Cap Is Holding the Program Back
Despite its success, the program is limited by a $6 million statutory cap that prevents the program from growing, even in years when the administration has the capacity to invest more. Over $12 million in grant requests were submitted this year alone, double the cap‐limited amount the program can award.
A Smart, Simple Fix
It is a straightforward “lift the cap” bill. It does not mandate new funding. It simply removes the outdated cap, allowing the program to grow in future years if and when state revenues permit.
This ensures Maryland can continue responding to rising demand, supporting high‐impact local projects, and remaining competitive with other states investing in heritage tourism.
This legislation does not ask the state to spend more today. It preserves Maryland’s flexibility to invest wisely when resources allow.
What This Means for Maryland’s Communities
With the cap lifted, Maryland has the option to:
✓ Support more local projects that strengthen towns, counties,
and Main Streets in years when funding is available.
✓ Leverage more partner investment by increasing
program capacity when the state is able.
✓ Respond to growing interest in heritage tourism statewide.
✓ Expand access and opportunity for communities
across all regions of Maryland.
coalition montage 2025 MACO App .mp4For a little state, Maryland is packed with history, stories, and quirks no one else has. The Maryland Heritage Area Program isn’t just about old buildings and plaques—it’s about figuring out who we are, who we’ve been, and who we’re trying to be. With 13 unique heritage areas covering every county and Baltimore City, this program stiches together all the beautiful, challenging, and fascinating parts of Maryland into something we can all be proud of.
Heritage Areas are not just good for the soul; they are also very good for the wallet. For every $1 Maryland invests in this program, it gets $7 back. That means:
$2.4 Billion pumped into the loccal economy every year
$319.8 Million in state and local taxes
40,000 jobs are supported in the hospitality industry from museum guards to trail builders
Currently, this valuable program is running on fumes. The funding has been limited to $6 million and demands far outpace supply. Over the past three years, an $8 million funding gap has kept great ideas on the shelf instead of in your community. Those $100,000 annual management grants for local heritage areas have not changed in 30 years—and now are only worth $62,000 in real dollars. Meanwhile, the workload has tripled.
Fully-fund impactful cultural tourism projects and programs that drive local economies and create jobs
Get fully ready for the huge anniversaries of America's 250th in 2026 and Maryland's 400th in 2034
Ensure that every Marylander's story is told from the foothills of Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore
This is the moment. Maryland has the stories, the places, and the people—it simply needs the resources to bring it all together. Let’s invest in a future worth remembering. Let’s make sure Maryland’s heritage is not just preserved, but celebrated year after year, by everyone fortunate enough to call this place home.
Maryland Heritage Areas are an economic engine throughout the state, with a $7 return on investment for every $1 in state funds.
The requested increase in funding from the transfer tax will directly benefit our communities, counties, cities, and provide economic growth, with no impact to the general fund.
Increasing the heritage area funds from Program Open Space will not decrease any other Open Space funding, since the transfer tax has grown.
The majority of Heritage Area funding goes directly back to Maryland communities, municipalities, counties, businesses, nonprofits, and other entrepreneurial organizations.
Recognizing the tight budget year, an increase in Maryland Heritage Areas funding, and allowing the grants themselves to increase to reflect inflationary pressures, will spur economic growth and sustainability throughout the state.
Heritage Tourism is a powerhouse, providing funding throughout the state with no taxes! Heritage tourists stay longer and spend more money that other tourists.
Heritage Areas provide pride of place, and a reason to visit, stay longer, and live in Maryland!
This is Maryland’s Decade, and as we head towards the 250th of our Nation and the 400th of our State, Maryland Heritage Areas are leading the way.
Maryland has the most robust and effective
State Heritage Area program in the United States.
Heritage Areas exist where the stories of the people, the land, and the waters of Maryland, which have been intertwined for thousands of years, are told.
In Maryland's thirteen Heritage Areas individuals, businesses, nonprofits and governments form partnerships to preserve the best of Maryland's historic sites and towns, unspoiled natural landscapes and enduring traditions.
These tangible links to both place and the past encourage residents to recognize they have a special piece of the American story to treasure and share with others, and that in doing so they create more livable and economically sustainable communities.
The Maryland Heritage Areas Program is governed by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) and administered by the Maryland Historical Trust.
MHAA provides targeted financial and technical assistance within thirteen designated Heritage Areas, each of which has a distinct focus or theme that represents a unique aspect of Maryland’s character.
Local partners operating within Heritage Areas may be eligible for a variety of benefits designed to support economic development through heritage tourism, including grants, tax credits, and loans.
Together, the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, each Heritage Area, and its local partners support the economic well-being of Maryland's communities by promoting, sustaining and creating place-based experiences for visitors and residents alike. We accomplish this work through partnerships, grantmaking, advocacy, and outreach.
Each of Maryland's Heritage Areas is operated separately, some are private non-profits while some are part of county governments. The leaders of each Heritage Area meet regularly as the Maryland Heritage Areas Coalition to share information, resources, and to advocate for the program at the state level.
Learn what we're up to as a Coalition and individual Heritage Areas. Note: You may be redirected to Blogger. Protip: Sign up for email newsletters from each Heritage Area to stay in the loop, get resources, and special event invitations.
Heritage area staff are out and about in Maryland e-v-e-r-y d-a-y and we'd love to meet up with you at these upcoming events or please reach out via email to set up individual meetings.
3/11-13/26: Building Museums Symposium (Baltimore)
6/14-17/26: Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference (OC)
8/12-15/26: MACo Summer Conference (OC)
