Preservation and Tourism Organizations Announce Maryland Heritage Recovery Task Force

Post author:alchemi
Post published:May 19, 2020
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Destination Southern Maryland (the Southern Maryland Heritage Area) is pleased to announce this important state-wide response to the impact of COVID-19. As a part of the steering committee of the newly formed Maryland Heritage Recovery Task Force, Destination Southern Maryland and the Maryland Heritage Area Coalition will be providing regional and statewide leadership as the communities affected move forward in these difficult times.

[May 14, 2020] Baltimore, MD – In the face of the ongoing pandemic, Preservation Maryland convened a task force of history, preservation, economic development, design, and tourism organizations to focus on identifying and advocating for public policy necessary to support the recovery of Maryland’s historical and cultural resources and the communities they support.

Maryland’s unique cultural attractions draw visitors from around the world and support countless local businesses while providing nearly $320 million in local and state tax revenue and generating $1.3 billion in economic activity annually. Unfortunately, these venues and the main street communities in which they reside have been hit hard by the economic fallout of the pandemic and will require targeted support as the state and nation moves from sheltering to recovery.

The Maryland Heritage Recovery Task Force is comprised of public and private organizations that characterize all aspects of the broad and diverse historic preservation community – from Main Street organizations to history museums, architectural firms and preservation rehabilitation developers.

The Task Force will work together to help identify what local, state and federal policy actions could be implemented to help with recovery of this critical sector of Maryland’s economy from the impacts of Covid-19.

“The situation for the heritage tourism and preservation industries in Maryland is becoming desperate,” explained Nicholas Redding, Executive Director of Preservation Maryland. “This new task force is an outgrowth of a real grassroots desire to help preservation and heritage organizations recover after the disastrous blow that has been dealt by the response to COVID-19. Community leaders and business owners are coming to recognize that the economic value of this work is immense. We are stronger when we stand together, and we believe that by combining our efforts we can turn retreat into advance.”

Organizations, agencies, or companies wishing to add their name to the Recovery Task Force can do so online, at: presmd.org/recovery.

The Steering Committee of the newly formed Heritage Recovery Task Force includes: