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Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area asks council to maintain $10,000 contribution as state grant cap rises
Summary
The Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area requested level funding of $10,000 for FY27, noting a state change that doubles the MHAA cap to $12 million and citing about $1.2 million in past grants to Hagerstown projects (including $400,000 to city projects). Director Elizabeth Chateau highlighted tourism marketing gains and increased travel packet requests.
Elizabeth Chateau, executive director of the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area, asked the council to consider a $10,000 appropriation for FY27, which she said represents level funding from the city. Chateau cited a recent state statute change that doubled the previous cap on Maryland Heritage Areas Authority (MHAA) funding—raising the program ceiling to $12 million—and said that change increases the potential grant dollars available to local projects working with the heritage area.
Chateau told the council that the heritage area has helped secure roughly $1.2 million in grant awards for Hagerstown projects over 20 years, including about $400,000 directed to city projects, and described marketing and destination-packet demand she says approaches 1,000 requests per month. She said MHAA grant awards are project-specific and administered through the state program funded by a restricted property-transfer tax, not the general fund. Chateau closed by asking the council to continue municipal support so the nonprofit can coach applicants and bring grant-funded projects to Hagerstown.
