Let your elected officials know you support full funding for America's National Heritage Areas, including your own, the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area.
Simply add your name to the letter below, and optionally add some thoughts of your own. It's that easy to make a BIG difference! We appreciate your support! Your information will be e-mailed to the representatives listed below.
TO:
The Honorable United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
The Honorable United States Senator Chuck Schumer
The Honorable United States Congressmember Tim Kennedy
The Honorable United States Congressmember Claudia Tenney
RE: The Importance of NPS National Heritage Area Funding
I write in strong support of full funding for America’s National Heritage Areas in both FY 2025 and FY 2026. I have had the pleasure of working closely with and benefiting from Niagara Falls National Heritage Area. Its impact on our community is immense and irreplaceable. Niagara Falls National Heritage Area and the 61 other NHAs around the country deserve adequate funding to continue telling America’s story.
Niagara Falls National Heritage Area’s contributions to our community are indicative of the work of National Heritage Areas from coast to coast. In FY 2023, NHAs leveraged nearly $50 million in non-federal contributions, nearly doubling their federal funding. This public-private partnership led to 2.4 million visitors to NHA events in 2023, conducted through partnerships with more than 7,000 organizations like mine. Indeed, one study found that NHAs were responsible for a nearly $13 billion economic impact in the communities they serve.
Here in our community, the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area (NFNHA) has proven highly effective in driving economic development by fostering strong grassroots support and strategic partnerships. Rather than duplicating efforts, these collaborations maximize impact and conserve valuable community resources. A prime example is the NFNHA’s partnership with the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center. Together, they successfully merged operations, secured matching state and federal funding, and now jointly manage the Heritage Center, streamlining administration and strengthening their shared mission.
In addition, the NFNHA created and operates the Discover Niagara Shuttle, a vital component of our local tourism infrastructure that connects visitors to key sites throughout the area. Beyond transportation and heritage preservation, the NFNHA has led numerous community improvement projects, including public art installations that not only enhance the visual landscape but also foster a deep sense of local pride and identity.
Despite growing in numbers, utilization, popularity, and broad bipartisan support, total federal funding for National Heritage Areas has remained relatively flat. In fact, in inflation-adjusted dollars, individual NHAs are currently receiving half of the funding they received 20 years ago. While NHAs have proven they are efficient and effective stewards of taxpayer dollars, any additional reduction in federal support jeopardizes their work and the vital programming they administer. I am particularly concerned about inadequate funding with the 250th Anniversary of America’s independence just around the corner; NHAs can and should be central in highlighting the history of our country during an important milestone.
In FY 2025 and FY 2026, the Alliance of National Heritage Areas and its member NHAS are requesting $33.5 million in annual funding for the National Heritage Area program, administered through the National Park Service. This would amount to approximately $500,000 for each NHA – a small price to pay given what they provide to communities like mine. Unfortunately, both the current continuing resolution (CR) and House and Senate versions of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill fall several million dollars short of this modest funding request.
During a time of increased scrutiny over federal spending, I hope members of Congress can recognize the programs that are actually working and providing tremendous returns for taxpayers. That’s why I encourage you to work with your colleagues to ensure that NHAs like Niagara Falls National Heritage Area get the funding they need to celebrate what makes America special. Please support $33.5 million in total funding for The National Heritage Program.
