Senate Passes Peters-Stabenow's Legislation Supporting MotorCities National Heritage Area

Washington D.C. – This week, the Senate passed legislation by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) to support the MotorCities National Heritage Area in Southeast Michigan. The Preserving the MotorCities Heritage Act, which passed as part of the Natural Resources Management Act, will increase the authorized funding cap for the area from $10 million to $12 million through 2021. Without this increase, the MotorCities National Heritage area would have soon been ineligible to receive federal funding.

“Michigan’s rich automotive tradition not only explains our past – it also inspires future generations of scientists, designers and engineers,” said Senator Peters. “As Michigan continues to lead in the future of mobility, I am pleased to help preserve the story of how Michigan put America on wheels.”

“The people of Michigan can out-work, out-think and out-imagine anybody and MotorCities has been a key part of celebrating that legacy,” said Senator Stabenow. “This funding will help MotorCities continue to tell our story in Michigan for generations to come.”

“We are very grateful for the faith and support of both of our Michigan Senators, Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters, for introducing this bill that strengthens the MotorCities National Heritage Area,” said Shawn Pomaville-Size, Executive Director of MotorCities. “As a direct result of their leadership, we can continue to promote and utilize Michigan’s unique auto heritage for the benefit of its citizens and visitors.” 

Headquartered in Detroit and established in 1998, the MotorCities National Heritage Area Partnership is a nonprofit corporation affiliated with the National Park Service that serves 16 counties representing a population of over 6.5 million. Its mission is to preserve, interpret and promote the region’s rich automotive and labor heritage. Regional programs inspire residents and visitors with an appreciation for how the automobile changed Michigan, the nation, and the world. Each year, MotorCities generates $410.4 million in economic impact, supports 4,560 jobs and creates $35.4 million in tax revenue in Michigan.

The Natural Resources Management Act also permanently reauthorizes the Land and Water Conservation Fund which expired September 30th of last year. This fund has helped protect and preserve Michigan’s natural treasures, including the Sleeping Bear Dunes and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshores, and our three national forests. Michigan has received over $334 million from the fund, which has enhanced hundreds of parks across the state for families to enjoy, for generations to come. The fund also supports the Forest Legacy Program, which has invested millions to protect Michigan’s working forests. 

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