STATE LEADERS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT ESSEX NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

By Allysha Dunnigan

U.S. Representatives Seth Moulton and Lori Trahan worked in partnership with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey to re-introduce the Essex National Heritage Area Permanency Act of 2021 on Friday. 

The Essex National Heritage Area will expire on September 30 if Congress does not extend the Essex National Heritage Area’s ability to receive federal money and raise the total amount of funding for which it is eligible.

Warren said that the Essex National Heritage Area protects the Commonwealth’s natural treasures, strengthens the local economy, and provides opportunities for communities and visitors to learn more about the rich culture and history on the North Shore. 

“I am glad to support legislation to continue investing in the partnerships between communities in Massachusetts and throughout New England and the National Park Service to preserve and appreciate these special places for generations to come,” she said. 

Markey identified the Essex National Heritage Area as a treasure that is enjoyed by Massachusetts residents and millions of visitors who come to experience the history and beauty of Essex County each year. 

“This legislation will ensure our continued investment in and support for the Essex National Heritage Area, which strengthens our local economies and preserves the North Shore’s rich history, culture, and natural resources,” he said. 

The Essex National Heritage Area spans 500 square miles among 34 cities and towns, including Lynn, Salem, Lawrence, and Gloucester. Since its creation in 1996, Congress has been authorized to invest up to $17 million in the area over its lifetime, but initiated caps on spending and an expiration date because of the uncertainty of National Heritage areas working as designed. 

“Two and a half decades ago, when members of Congress created the Essex National Heritage Area, they clearly failed to imagine how successful it would be for our economy. If they had, they would never have made the idea temporary,” Moulton said. 

Studies have since overwhelmingly shown that National Heritage areas are smart investments, supporting thousands of jobs and generating millions of dollars in local economic activity. That economic activity leads to $14.3 million in tax revenue, according to Moulton’s office. 

“The Essex National Heritage Area brings millions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of people to New England where they spend money and create jobs,” Moulton said. “A 25-year track record of success is reason enough to keep it going, but given how hard our tourism economy has been hit by the pandemic, it is even more critical that Congress passes this bill before September.”

This year is the 25th anniversary of the designation of the Essex National Heritage Area, according to Essex National Heritage Area Director Annie Harris. 

“A lot has been accomplished, but there is much more to be done,” she said. “The pandemic has shown us how important it is to provide opportunities for all our residents to enjoy the assets available in this area. From identifying places to experience the outdoors, to providing online materials for remote learning, Essex Heritage has been pleased to serve this region during the pandemic, and we are looking forward to playing an even bigger role as the economy recovers.”

She said she is very grateful for the support that the Massachusetts federal delegation is providing.

The legislation introduced by the Democratic state leaders would permanently eliminate the provisions and remove the funding cap for the Essex National Heritage Area. Federal investments in the Essex National Heritage Area are often used as seed money to attract private sector investments. According to Essex Heritage, the group usually leverages three times the amount it receives from Congress in private investments. 

Essex Heritage puts the funds toward engaging the region’s residents and visitors in the country’s history and preparing the youth for the future. For example, Essex Heritage runs historic and cultural education programs and offers a summer jobs program at two National Park sites for young people to learn trade-based skills and civic responsibility. 

“For families throughout the region, the Essex National Heritage Area continues to be a cultural and economic driver,” Trahan said. 

She said the Essex National Heritage Area has contributed to the growth of communities like Lawrence, Haverhill, and Andover. It also maintains the Essex Coastal Scenic Byway program, which attracts tourists to the region’s historic towns and cities.

“I’m proud to partner with Congressman Moulton and Sen. Markey to introduce this legislation, which is key to ensuring that the Essex National Heritage Area continues receiving the smart federal investments necessary to sustain its critical presence in our communities,” Trahan said. 

Unlike national parks, most National Heritage Areas are located within large communities and are managed by independent, local nonprofits that receive some of their funds from the federal government through the National Park Service. 

Heritage Areas must match the federal funding with local and private funds. Research from the National Park Service shows that every dollar that Congress invests in a National Heritage Area leads to about six dollars in local economic activity, Moulton’s office said. 

National Heritage Areas are congressionally-designated places where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. The National Heritage Area program is affiliated with the National Park Service, and there are currently 55 heritage areas spread across 34 states.