Thanks to the work of local legislators, the ENHC received $100,000 in MA state funding which it has used to expand its Partnership Grant program and develop new initiatives to market and promote the resources of the region.

The ENHC Partnership Grant program is a matching grant program providing financial support to projects that encourage greater understanding, interpretation and enhancement of the unique historic, cultural and natural resources within the Essex National Heritage Area. With grant applications up by 63% from 2006, the new state funds will allow the ENHC to increase the total grants awarded to $125,000.

The state funding has also enabled the ENHC to launch several new initiatives designed to promote the resources of the Area, including the development of a series of "theme" trails that encourage residents and tourists to connect with some of our unique regional treasures. The Farm Fresh and First Period Architecture guides provide detailed information and maps of agricultural resources and historic, 17th century homes that are open to the public. The guides will be available free in both on-line and print versions. Other themed trails and guides are in development. The ENHC has also used the funding to create an online guide to the proposed Essex Coastal Scenic By-way, a 40-mile, 8-community route which travels from Lynn to Rockport, and to submit a grant application to create a corridor management plan for the by-way.

Executive Director of the Essex County and Merrimack Valley Local Program, Christine Rasmussen of Gloucester, tirelessly advocates on behalf of the interest of the farmer at the local, state and federal level. A few years ago, she developed BuyFresh.org, a website which affirms the many benefits of purchasing food from local farmers and farmers markets. Her work was recently given state-wide recognition for a collaborative venture that produced a new brochure that educates and directs consumers to resources for "Buying Local"across Massachusetts. The ENHC is proud that ENHC Commissioner Christine Rasmussen will be a featured guest at Essentially Essex County - Farm Fresh on June 7th, and that proceeds raised through this event and auction will be shared with the Essex County and Merrimack Valley Buy Local Program.

Metropolitan Area Planning Council invites you to a Boston College Citizen Seminar on Tuesday morning, May 1, for MetroFuture: Making a Greater Boston Region. There, they will unveil the plan to guide Metro Boston's growth through 2030 and identify action steps that the region can take, over the coming months and years, to make the plan a reality.

Governor Deval Patrick has been invited to offer remarks at this event, which will include discussions about the region's workforce and housing supply, municipal finances, public safety and more. Whether you are new to the project or you're a longstanding participant, please join us!

The Alliance's bi-ennial International Heritage Development Conference, hosted in 2007 by MotorCities National Heritage Area, promises interesting learning experiences, thought- provoking dialogues, cutting edge technology and communication ideas and plenty of networking opportunities. We'll hear a keynote address by the world's most respected documentary film maker, Ken Burns, and along the lines of our theme, "Passport to Crossing Boundaries in Heritage Development", share two days of workshop sessions and community-based regional labs in both the U.S. and Canada. We'll celebrate our heritage during a night of fabulous Motown sounds that will bring you back to your high school days. Join us in Detroit June 18-21!

MotorCities National Heritage Area is proud to be among the regions in our country recognized for making significant contributions to America's story. We encourage you to visit the region's museums and towns, drive our backroads and byways and pause for just a moment to think about the impact the auto industry has had on your life. Our mission is focused on raising awareness and understanding about the impact of the automobile on this region with emphasis on increasing tourism, expanding education and encouraging revitalization.