Economic Impact
The Maryland Heritage Areas Program contributes a combined total of $2.4 billion to the Maryland economy, supports and sustains a combined total of 33,815 full-time and part-time jobs throughout the state, and generates $319.8 million in economic impact. Since 1996, nearly $43 million in financial assistance awarded and more than $1.6 billion in non-state funds for heritage tourism projects and activities leveraged.
MHAA Annual Reports
Economic Impact Report (2020)
Maryland Heritage Areas Program
Economic Contribution Analysis
December 2020
Economic Contribution Analysis
December 2020
Marylandβs history, culture and landscapes are assets unique to the state, drawing heritage visitors year after year. Each of Marylandβs 13 certied Heritage Areas are dened by the preservation of irreplicable sites and the amplication of the voices capturing the stories and spirit of the past.Β
Across Maryland, these distinctive areas help establish the identity of a place or region, creating a unique destination dierent from all other areas. Heritage Areas are locally operated entities that foster publicβprivate partnership to preserve historic sites and buildings, natural environments, cultural traditions and uniquely Maryland experiences.Β
In June 2019, Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) engaged Parker Philips, Inc. to measure the economic and societal contribution of Marylandβs 13 Heritage Areas, and their visitors, across the state. Each individual Heritage Area represents a facet of Marylandβs one-of-a-kind story.Β
MHAA Strategic Plan (2010-2020)
Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Strategic Plan: "Charting A Sustainable Course for the Next Decade:
2010-2020"
2010-2020"
The National Trust for Historic Preservationβs Heritage Tourism Program was selected as the consultant to lead this project. The team included Hargrove International, Inc./The HTC Group; Davidson-Peterson Associates, Inc., a division of Digital Research, Inc.; and the NTHP Southern Field Office.Β
The planning process was overseen by a Strategic Plan Action Team (SPAT) consisting of members and staff of MHAA and representatives of the Maryland Coalition of Heritage Areas (MCHA), the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations, the Maryland Byways Program, and the National Park Service.
The MHAA adopted the plan on October 15, 2009. Implementation of the 2010-2020 Strategic Plan promises to result in a reinvigorated and more intensely focused Maryland Heritage Areas Program that is better prepared to meet the challenge of managing a mature system of state Heritage Areas and sustaining that system over time.Β Β