The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) announced matching grants totaling $428,300 for Patapsco Valley Heritage Area (PVHA) non-profits. The grant funds support heritage tourism projects and activities that draw visitors and expand economic development and tourism-related opportunities in the Patapsco Valley. The Moore Administration announced that 87 matching grants totaling $5.19 million were awarded to Maryland nonprofits, local jurisdictions, and other heritage tourism organizations by MHAA. These FY25 funds support heritage tourism projects and activities that draw visitors and expand economic development and tourism-related job creation throughout Maryland.
Funded projects in the Patapsco Valley Heritage Area include:
- Ellicott City Historic District Partnership – Historic Ellicott City Heritage Tourism Support, $50,000
- Howard County Tourism Council, Inc. – Historic Post Office Interior Renovation Project, $100,000
- Oella Historical Society, Inc. – Historic Oella Cemetery Restoration and Improvement, $35,800
- Preservation Maryland – Ellicott City Jail Rehabilitation, $100,000
In addition, Patapsco Heritage Greenway (PHG) received a management grant for $100,000, a block grant for $25,000, and a marketing grant for $17,500. PHG’s management grant supports organizational operations and staffing. The marketing grant will help promote and highlight heritage tourism opportunities for visitors to the PVHA. All funds from the block grant will be used to support mini-grants to PVHA partners and stakeholders. The application window for mini-grants will open later this summer.