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CONTACT: <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></div><div>
Aaron Marcavitch, Executive Director<o:p></o:p></div><div>
301-887-0777<o:p></o:p></div><div>
<a href="mailto:aaron@anacostiatrails.org">aaron@anacostiatrails.org</a><o:p></o:p></div><div>
<o:p> </o:p></div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Heritage Tourism Matching Grants Available<o:p></o:p></div><div>
January 3, 2012 – Hyattsville, MD<o:p></o:p></div><div> </div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Anacostia Trails Heritage Area Inc. is now seeking
matching grant applications for projects that enhance heritage tourism, museum
programming, stewardship, and community heritage activities in northern Prince
George’s County. Nonprofit groups and governmental agencies may compete for up
to $100,000 in statewide grants administered by the Maryland Heritage Areas
Authority.</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Applicants for the grants must be located in the
state-certified Anacostia Trails Heritage Area, which currently includes the
towns of Cottage City, Colmar Manor, Bladensburg, Edmonston, Mount Rainier,
Brentwood, North Brentwood, Hyattsville, Riverdale Park, University Park,
College Park, and Greenbelt; as well as the unincorporated areas between the
county line on the west, the Baltimore and Washington Parkway on the east, the
DC line on the south and the Patuxent River on the north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A full map can be found at <a href="http://www.anacostiatrails.org">www.anacostiatrails.org</a>.</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Project applications are first reviewed by ATHA
Inc. Funds would be available to successful applicants in late 2012 to early
2013; matching funds may be spent after grants are awarded in July 2012.
Project requirements require grantees provide a one to one match. A minimum of
75 percent of the match must be in cash; the remainder may be in donated
services and products or volunteer labor. </div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Non-capital grants of up to $50,000 are available
for planning, design, interpretation, and programming. Capital grants of up to
$100,000 are available for projects or activities within designated Heritage
Area Target Investment Zones for acquisition of real property, development,
rehabilitation, restoration, and pre-development project costs such as the
preparation of specifications, architectural designs, or engineering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All applicants are strongly advised to
discuss grant ideas with the Heritage Area Staff at 301-887-0777 or <a href="mailto:info@anacostiatrails.org">info@anacostiatrails.org</a></div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Intent to Apply forms are required and must
completed on <a href="http://www.anacostiatrails.org/">www.anacostiatrails.org</a>
by Friday, January 27, 2012. Completed applications must be submitted by March
5 to the office. Grant Instructions and applications are at <a href="http://mht.maryland.gov/grants_heritagearea_project.html">http://mht.maryland.gov/grants_heritagearea_project.html</a>.
</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Grant seekers are encouraged to attend a grants
overview program.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Find out more at <a href="http://mht.maryland.gov/grants_heritagearea_partners.html">http://mht.maryland.gov/grants_heritagearea_partners.html</a>.
Four sessions at sites around the state, as well as a webinar, are available.
Sign up early since space is limited.</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">ATHA Inc. seeks to preserve and promote the
history, culture, and nature of the certified heritage area through
partnerships, funding, technical assistance, and marketing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Working with over fifty partners at dozens of
sites and representing nearly half a million residents and visitors, the
Heritage Area is working to link historical themes, bring more visitors to the
region, and increase economic impact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For more information visit <a href="http://www.anacostiatrails.org/">www.anacostiatrails.org</a>,
follow us on Twitter @ATHeritageArea, or find us on Facebook. </div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">###</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Aaron Marcavitch</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">Executive Director</div><div style="margin: 1em 0px;" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle">4310 Gallatin Street<o:p></o:p></div><div>Hyattsville, MD 20781</span></div></div></body></html>