Valley Forge Tourism outlines America 250 plans and local partnerships; council welcomes MONCO 2040 grant

Valley Forge Tourism presented its America 250 outreach and yearlong programming to Narberth Borough Council May 21, describing a marketing and events program aimed at highlighting regional historic resources during the nation’s 250th anniversary period.

A tourism specialist told council the nonprofit is a hotel‑tax‑funded sales and marketing organization that supports Montgomery County destinations and draws on a membership base of around 500 local businesses. The presenter said the organization reaches millions of website views and hundreds of thousands of social followers annually and produces three print/digital visitor publications and broad social and video content.

“There's a total economic impact of $2.5 billion per year in tourism alone in our county,” the presenter said, adding that Valley Forge’s America 250 initiative will feature live readings of the Declaration of Independence (a “House of Declaration”) during July 3–5 and other programming linked to Valley Forge National Historical Park’s celebrations.

Before public comment began, County Commissioner Neil Mija joined the meeting and congratulated Narberth for receiving a $250,000 award from the MONCO 2040 program to support the Elm Grove Park Veteran Bridge project. “We voted on it today... $250,000 is the most and I think you for the Elit water management project — the pedestrian bridge — the improvements,” Commissioner Mija said, expressing county support for the borough’s application and offering continued assistance.

Council thanked Valley Forge Tourism and the county representative. The council later moved to require follow‑up planning and technical analyses for local capital projects and for zoning deliberations. No votes on tourism matters were taken; the $250,000 grant was described as approved by the county during its process.