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.
WHAT: Maryland’s historic preservation leaders will testify in favor of HB0654 and SB0638, which would lift the current $6 million statutory cap to $12 million for optional heritage tourism funding. Every year, the current cap restricts the industry’s growth and prevents numerous eligible, community‑driven projects from receiving funding.
Of the $6 million currently allocated, more than $5.1 million flows back into local communities. Maryland’s heritage areas touch a portion of every county in the state, supporting the legacies of historic sites, museums, trails, events, and local revitalization work.
WHEN: House of Delegates – Feb. 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EST
Senate – Feb. 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: House of Delegates – House Office Building, Room 250, Annapolis, Maryland 21401, or via livestream
Senate – West Miller Senate Building, Room 2, Annapolis, Maryland 21401, or via livestream
BACKGROUND: The Maryland Heritage Areas Program is a proven economic driver for Maryland— heritage areas benefit every county in the state, bringing a $7 return for every $1 in state funding.
HB0654 and SB0638 would remove the outdated cap on funding, allowing the Maryland Heritage Area Program to grow in future years, without mandating new funding. This will ensure Maryland can continue to respond to rising demand, support high‑impact local projects, and remain competitive with other states investing in heritage tourism.
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. Learn more at marylandheritageareas.org.