NRHC awarded heritage funding
The National Road Heritage Corridor (NRHC), a state-designated heritage area and Pennsylvania’s first National Scenic Byway, announced Wednesday the award of $64,500 in Pennsylvania Heritage Areas Program (PHAP) grant money. The grant program was created by the state to support its state designated heritage areas in preserving, protecting, enhancing and developing tourism around Pennsylvania’s rich history and heritage.
Gov. Edward G. Rendell announced the state’s investment of more than $1.5 million in heritage areas to preserve the richness of the state’s past and create jobs and opportunities for the future.
A total of four grants represent the $64,500 received by the NRHC for the following projects: To develop the marketing and visibility Phase III program for the National Road Heritage Corridor; to develop an Ohiopyle town video and Thomas Faucet interpretive gravesite at Ohiopyle State Park; to acquire land for future trail and trail head development of the National Pike trail in Buffalo Township, Washington County; and to conduct a greenways, open space and trail plan for Fayette County.
“The NRHC, along with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), appreciates the opportunity to work with its partners on common goals and objectives that include the preservation, protection and promotion this region’s natural, cultural and historic assets, while enhancing quality of life for residents, and fueling community and economic growth,” said Donna Holdorf, executive director of the NRHC. “Tourism – and specifically heritage tourism – continues to be one of Pennsylvania’s leading industries. The NRHC is proud to be a part of its further development in southwestern Pennsylvania.”
The NRHC will be accepting pre-applications for the next round of grants in December. To qualify for the grant program, applicants must be: A federal commission designated by Congress to administer federally designated heritage areas; a county or multi-county authority designated by regional partners in a heritage area or a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status created or designated by the partners in a heritage area to act on their behalf. Projects must be within the NRHC boundaries and relate to the history of the historic National Road. For more information, call the NRHC at 724-437-9877.