Press Releases

Congressman Roscoe Bartlett Announces $479,748 in Federal Funds for Seven Grants Under the National Scenic Byways Program to Increase Tourism in Maryland’s Sixth District

Seven Grants Under the National Scenic Byways Program Will Increase Tourism in Maryland’s Sixth District

Washington, Aug 29, 2006 -  

Congressman Roscoe Bartlett announces $60,000 in federal funds from one grant and portions of $419,748 from six other grants from the Department of Transportation under the National Scenic Byways Program to increase tourism in Maryland’s Sixth District. All seven grants will be administered by the Maryland State Highway Administration.

The federal funds will be used to support projects along highways in Maryland designated as National Scenic Byways. Eligible projects under this program include planning projects to inventory, preserve and enhance the quality of a byway, to develop visitor information such as brochures and interpretive facilities and scenic overlooks, and byway marketing. This funding will help recognize, preserve and enhance Maryland’s scenic roads and highways.

Congressman Bartlett said, “Building and maintaining roads is a function of the federal government and a responsibility for the Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution. The National Historic Road which traverses Maryland’s Sixth District was America’s first federally funded highway. The funding from these seven grants will increase tourism, support economic development and protect roads that are important parts of our nation’s heritage.”

Details of Grants

$60,000 for the Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway Gateway/Wayfinding Planning Project. This grant will solely benefit Maryland’s Sixth District. This project will fund the creation of a prototype gateway and wayfinding signage system which will link the cultural, historic, and recreational resources found in the communities along the U.S. 15 corridor between Virginia and Pennsylvania in Maryland’s Sixth District. The prototype will include the design of a range of sign types including gateway, interpretive, pedestrian level, and directional. The prototype will also address larger communities with more complex signage demands as well as smaller communities with simpler system needs. This project will therefore benefit the Byway traveler by encouraging visitors to explore using clearly marked and well designed linkage routes to towns, heritage areas and nearby attractions.

$94,748.00 for the International Marketing Campaign for Maryland and Virginia Byways. This grant will be used to promote trips by visitors from the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Scandinavia, Ireland, and the Netherlands to historic sites along the scenic byways network in Maryland and Virginia. Among the programs to be promoted are Maryland’s Historic National Road (HNR), Religious Freedom Tour, and Underground Railroad Trail. Sites within Maryland’s Sixth District include the westward settlements along the Historic National Road, scenic mountain wonders, and the flight to freedom by enslaved African Americans along the Underground Railroad.

$80,000 for the Lower Susquehanna Byway Corridor Management Plan. This grant will be used to create a Corridor Management Plan (CMP) for the Lower Susquehanna River Trail, which is partially located in Maryland’s Sixth District and includes U.S. Routes 1 and 40 and I-95 in Harford County. In addition to organizing activities and investments, establishing a CMP will enable byway leaders to plan goals for the communities and partners supporting the byway.

$40,000 for the Historic National Road Virtual Byway Community Website. This grant will create a virtual community along Maryland’s portion of the Historic National Road and involves communities and locations in Maryland’s Sixth District, along U.S. 40 and western Maryland. The Historic National Road (HNR) Virtual Byway Community Website will increase awareness of the Corridor Partnership Plan (CPP) and enhance public outreach along Maryland’s Historic National Road. This website will be hosted by the Maryland Department of Planning, and will be an upgrade to an earlier website that was developed as a successful communication tool during the CPP planning process.

$80,000 for Phase I Marketing of the Eastern Legacy-Historic National Road. This grant will be used to produce and deliver a map-guide and media kit to begin the marketing process for the Historic National Road (HNR) Eastern Legacy States of Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The map-guide and kit will provide visitors and reporters with comprehensive and helpful information on the Eastern Legacy of the HNR. The primary goal of the map-guide is to inspire traveling to more than one State and to encourage the traveler to visit longer than one day by seeking knowledge through visitation to both nonprofit and for-profit venues. The map-guide will also enhance the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary for the Eastern Legacy.

$25,000 for the Historic National Road – Corridor Management Plan – Year 4. This grant will permit the current byway manager to continue applying the CPP and to build the nonprofit Maryland National Road Association (MNRA). This will provide the necessary resources to solidify current MNRA supporters, recruit new members and develop a work plan to implement the fourth year of actions in the CPP. This project enables the continuation of corridor-wide projects, such as the byway manager’s plan to launch 80 wayside panels and coordinate that effort with the Maryland Office of Tourism Historic National Road (HNR) marketing initiative. Additionally, travel experience will improve with the addition of two new byways that cross the HNR including the Catoctin Mountain Scenic Byway in Maryland’s Sixth District. Cross-promotional efforts will also be developed.

$100,000 for Phase IIA Marketing of Maryland’s Network of Scenic Byways. This grant will implement Phase IIA of the long-term marketing plan for Maryland’s Scenic Byways Program. The grant will be used to produce and employ a print and electronic advertising campaign. This grant is the primary marketing mechanism that will inform byway travelers about the guidebook and map for exploring Maryland Scenic Byways.