State Heritage Areas are the focus of a series of meetings to be held by the Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation in July for partnership and information sharing and gathering for the new program.

According to Tammy Heise, spokesperson for the TDEC, the program will mirror the National Heritage Areas program administered by the National Park Services and would be governed by a Heritage Areas Commission appointed by the Governor. “It would provide an opportunity for Tennessee to provide our rural areas with tools to help them direct their futures,” she said. Criteria for designation as a State Heritage Area would include significance and feasibility.

Some potential benefits of the program include increased regional identity; greater local involvement in the future of the region; strengthened local commitments to conservation and historic preservation; opportunities for interpretation and education available to visitors and residents; increases in visitation with a total annual economic impact; and matching dollars to assist with development and promotion.

The goal of the program is to create areas where propertyowners, non-profits, businesses and governments work together to enhance, conserve, interpret and promote the resources and people that define the region as a special place. The state does not impose land use regulations.

Following the successful model of the Pennsylvania program, she said, a two-phase approach is proposed. Phase One would begin after a candidate corridor has provided a feasibility study documenting compliance with state criteria to the Heritage Area Commission and has received their approval. At this point, the Governor would establish a State Heritage Area by Executive Order.

The meetings are designed to provide information and gather ideas for the program. The closest one in this area will be July 8, 6 p.m., at the McMinn County Courthouse.

In Pennsylvania, State Heritage Areas are large geographic regions or corridors that span two or more counties.  These areas contain a multitude of historic, recreational, natural and scenic resources of state and national significance that collectively exemplify the heritage of the state.  Through regional partnerships and public grassroots planning strategies, these resources are identified, protected, enhanced and promoted to strengthen regional economies through increased tourism, creation of new jobs and stimulation of public and private partnerships for new investment opportunities.

The goal is to ensure that the legacy of a region - and the natural, educational and recreational values inherent to it - are preserved for future generations.

The foundation upon which a Pennsylvania heritage area is structured involves building and strengthening regional coalitions of community leaders, non-profit interest groups, the private sector, state agencies and the federal government. State Heritage Areas are given special status at the state level and becomes an eligible entity for special funding on an annual basis.