October 22, 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C. | U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik has introduced legislation to enhance the Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area to include Washington and Saratoga counties.
The measure would expand opportunities for both counties to participate in federal grant programs, increase tourism, and support economic development in Washington and Saratoga Counties.
“The North Country is home to a rich, historical area, and I am proud to continue to preserve and promote it through this legislation,” Stefanik said in announcing the effort Oct. 21.
“The cultural, environmental, and economic impact that these National Heritage Areas have on communities in upstate New York cannot be overstated, and I am proud to work to expand this opportunity to all of Saratoga and Washington Counties.”
This action would bring the federal boundaries of the area in line with the state boundary and would provide cultural and economic development opportunities in New York’s 21st Congressional District.
“This heritage area will extend their grant opportunities to heritage sites, non-profits, and local governments in Saratoga and Washington County and provide seed money for programming, interpretation and marketing of our historic and natural resources. It is a great opportunity to partner with similar sites with nationally significant cultural and natural resources of the Hudson River Valley. This effort will encourage public stewardship for these resources as well as economic activity at the local and regional level,” said Sean Kelleher, historian for the Town of Saratoga and vice president of the Saratoga County History Center.
Heritage areas have a proven record of fostering job creation and advancing economic, cultural, historic, environmental, and community development. In addition to job creation, National Heritage Areas generate valuable revenue for local governments and sustain communities through revitalization and heritage tourism. This funding directly impacts the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor, the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership, the Hudson River Valley Greenway, and many others.
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