ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore has announced more than $4.6 million in matching grant awards to 91 Maryland nonprofits, local jurisdictions and heritage tourism organizations. The funding from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority will support place-based projects aimed at promoting economic growth through tourism and community enhancement across the state.
“History is an active force for promoting economic development and building strength in our communities,” Moore said. “Projects funded through our Heritage Grant Awards will make Maryland more competitive, support a diverse array of new partnerships, and enrich the lives of thousands of people.”
The grants are distributed through the Maryland Heritage Areas Program, which contributes an estimated $2.4 billion annually to the state’s economy. The program’s grants alone generate $319.8 million in state and local taxes and support 33,815 full- and part-time jobs each year.
Recipients of the awards include museums, parks, arts organizations, historic sites, schools and other educational institutions, all dedicated to preserving and celebrating Maryland’s unique cultural and natural resources within its 13 state-certified heritage areas. Grants will be distributed to projects in all 23 Maryland counties and the city of Baltimore.
Rebecca L. Flora, secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning and chair of the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, highlighted the program’s comprehensive approach.
“The Maryland Heritage Areas Program demonstrates how history, culture, recreation and planning can work together to protect and share state assets and regional identities,” Flora said. She also noted the timely connection of several awarded projects to the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial. “I continue to be in awe of the grantee organizations that dedicate so much time and passion to make sure the full range of our state’s diverse stories are being told in authentic and engaging ways. Their efforts create experiences that enhance quality of life, make our towns more livable, and contribute to local economies.”
The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority, an independent unit of government, is administered by the Maryland Historical Trust. Since its inception in 1997, the authority has awarded more than $74 million in grants, leveraging over $175 million in non-state matching funds for heritage tourism projects and activities across the state’s heritage areas.
A complete list of the Fiscal Year 2026 grants is available on the Maryland Historical Trust website at https://mht.maryland.gov.
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