July 21st, 2024 by WCBC Radio

The Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area (PWPHA) was awarded $239,000.00 in grant funds for FY2025 by the Moore Miller Administration through the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority.  The announcement came on July 12th from the Governors office.  $5.19 million dollars was awarded to support heritage related projects in Maryland.  The Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area (PWPHA) received funds for operations of the Heritage Area at Canal Place Heritage Park and within the Heritage Area boundaries as well as, funds to support the Wills Creek Museum, and an Augmented Reality App for Heritage Tourism and $25,000 to support local heritage projects through the PWPHA Mini Grant Program.

The Heritage Areas Program provides $2.4 Billion in annual economic impact and MHAA grants generate $319.8 Million in state and local taxes while supporting 33,815 full- and part-time jobs annually. The PWPHA has an economic impact of over $20 Million annually for Allegany County and provides $2.6 Million in state and local tax revenue. The PWPHA supports local non-profits and jurisdictions with heritage related projects to include preservation, promotion, programing and education.  “This funding is critical to maintaining and preserving our local heritage and the PWPHA is committed to assisting organizations in our area with funding opportunities, resources and guidance in order to carry out this very important mission” said Dee Dee Ritchie, Executive Director with Passages of the Western Potomac Heritage Area.