Dear Senators and Delegates:
We are writing to ask if you would
send a letter to the Montgomery County Council supporting funding of the
Heritage Tourism Alliance in the current FY07 Budget Cycle.
They have
been working hard to bring economic development to the certified heritage areas
in the County, specifically to the Poolesville area and to the environs around
Sandy Spring. Heritage Days, this signature event that has taken place on the
last weekend in June for the past nine years, has seen a steady increase in the
number of historic sites participating as well as in the number of attendees.
This year there will be 37 sites open on the two day tour, including
Uncle Tom's Cabin on the Riley Farm in North Bethesda/Rockville, recently
acquired by the Park and Planning Commission, and the first vineyard operating
in the County, Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard, in Dickerson. You can access our
website
www.HeritageTourism.org at the beginning
of May for a complete listing of participants.
The Alliance has asked the
County government for a grant of $73,000. That amount is required to make the
75% match for the State grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority. The
return on investment by the County would be $5.27 for every $1.00 spent by the
County.
As you may know, the legislature recently increased funding for
Heritage Tourism statewide, raising the funding level from $1 million to $3
million dollars for FY07. The county is the largest contributor to the
Recordation Tax, the source of funding for the Heritage Tourism program. We are
9th in funding out of the 10 certified state heritage areas. This is the first
year that the Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County is eligible for
full grant funding from the State because we have raised the required match of
$25,000 from the private sector.
Heritage Tourism has worked hard to
identify sources of private funding and to expand their program offerings
and support. I am hopeful that we will not leave money behind in Annapolis for
lack of local government support. This is why we are asking you to write the
County Council in support of our budget. The first hearing will be on April 24,
2006, before the Health and Human Services Committee.
We have attached a
sample letter if you choose to use it, but any _expression of support will be
very much appreciated. I thank you in advance for your
help.
Sincerely,
DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT
Mr. George Leventhal
President
Montgomery County Council
100
Maryland Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Dear Mr. Leventhal:
I am writing to ask that you and the entire Council grant full funding
for the Heritage Tourism Alliance of Montgomery County, which has asked for a
grant request of $73, 000 in the budget process this year. The Alliance needs
funding at this level in order to be able to receive full funding from the State
for local projects in the heritage area. The Alliance has worked over the last
three years to expand its program offerings and its support of economic
development in Montgomery County. I hope that you will fund their request.
Please share this with all councilmembers.
Sincerely, 
