Peters, Stabenow Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support MotorCities National Heritage Area

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced the reintroduction of a bipartisan bill to support National Heritage Areas across the country including Michigan’s MotorCities National Heritage Area in Southeast Michigan. The National Heritage Area Act establishes standard criteria for the funding, management and designation of National Heritage Areas across the country and sets an annual authorization of $1 million for all National Heritage Areas.

Designated by Congress in 1998, the MotorCities National Heritage Area Partnership is a nonprofit corporation affiliated with the National Park Service. The Partnership’s mission is to preserve and promote the region’s automotive and labor heritage. Every year, MotorCities attracts thousands of visitors and helps generate $410 million in economic support to Michigan communities, supporting 4,560 jobs.

In February 2019, the Senate passed the Preserving the MotorCities Heritage Act authored by Senators Peters and Stabenow to support funding for MotorCities through 2021. The National Heritage Area Act ensures that funding will be stable in the years ahead for MotorCities and other heritage areas across the country.

“National Heritage Areas not only commemorate our nation’s history but serve as economic boosters to regions across the country. In Michigan, we’re proud to be home to the MotorCities National Heritage Area, which highlights how our automotive heritage – and the workers that built automobiles across generations – transformed society,” said Senator Peters. “Supporting the MotorCities National Heritage Area will uphold our state’s reputation as a leader in mobility and generate further economic development in Michigan. I am proud to help reintroduce this bill and preserve the story of how Michigan put America on wheels and built a world-class workforce that has transcended generations.”

“National Heritage Areas not only commemorate our nation’s history, but also create jobs and boost tourism for communities across the country,” said Senator Stabenow. “This legislation ensures that Michigan’s own MotorCities National Heritage Area has the funding to continue to preserve and share our rich automotive history for generations to come.”

“This bill recognizes the key role National Heritage Areas play in preserving and telling the important stories of our national character”, said Shawn Pomaville-Size, Executive Director of the MotorCities National Heritage Area. “The leadership of Senator Stabenow and Senator Peters on behalf of both the Alliance of National Heritage Areas and the MotorCities National Heritage Area will provide the necessary stabilization and standardization so that across the country, we can continue to make a profound economic and cultural impact in the regions where we serve. We are very grateful for their support.”

U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ed Markey (D-MA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) are also co-sponsors of the National Heritage Area Act. The National Heritage Area Act is supported by the Alliance of National Heritage Areas and the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA).

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