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Gov. Martin O'Malley was the featured speaker at the Maryland Horse Forum, Aug. 6. Approximately 250 members of the state's horse industry gathered in Prince George's County to discuss how it can move ahead as a viable and cohesive sector in Maryland's economy. The meeting at The Show Place Arena and Prince George's Equestrian Center in Upper Marlboro was the first one since the initial Maryland Horse Forum in 2004. Terry Hasseltine, director of the Maryland Office of Sports Marketing, moderated a session on marketing for the horse industry. Other panel presentations addressed a range of topics, including: labor, land-use and land-preservation issues; the future of Maryland racing; trails and public lands; competition venues; and green initiatives. Maryland's horse industry – both the racing and non-racing elements – has an annual economic impact of $1.6 billion, according to a 2005 report issued by the American Horse Council. The report said the industry generates the equivalent of 10,000 full-time jobs and the equivalent of another 18,000 jobs as a result of spending by suppliers and employees.
"The Maryland Economic Development Commission will play a vital role in charting a course for Maryland’s economic future," said Gov. O'Malley. "We are fortunate to have brought together some of Maryland’s greatest visionaries in science, education and business from every region of the state to undertake this important mission and I look forward to learning their recommendations for how we can best support Maryland’s business community." Created in 1995, the commission has been inactive since 2006. Christian S. Johansson, secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, made it one of his priorities to revive the group. The commission’s task is to develop a 10-year strategic plan for Maryland’s economy and provide its recommendations to the governor. Members serve three-year staggered terms. Earlier this year, the Baltimore Heritage Area — one of 11 state-certified heritage areas — was designated by Congress as the Baltimore National Heritage Area, becoming one of 49 such areas in 32 states. The designation will make Baltimore eligible for up to $10 million in federal funds for cultural tourism initiatives. The Baltimore Heritage Area Association, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and the Maryland Congressional Delegation will celebrate the city's designation on Aug. 24, 10:30 a.m., at Broadway Market Square in Baltimore's Fell's Point section. This event will also feature the unveiling of signs for the Chesapeake Bay Gateway Network and Water Taxi service. The country's first national heritage area was named in 1984, which ushered in a community-based approach to heritage tourism and resource stewardship. The National Park Service (NPS) provides advice and limited financial assistance to national heritage areas. Local organizations retain decision-making authority. In 2008, NPS reported that national heritage areas supported the development of 55 miles of new trails and provided 78 grants to National Register properties. Local facilities attract sports travel, sports marketing official says Hasseltine made his comments during a group discussion about the economic benefits of parks and recreation at the Maryland Association of Counties summer conference, Aug. 14, in Ocean City. Maryland House of Delegates Speaker Mike Busch moderated the session, which also included Trish Heffelfinger, executive director of Maryland SoccerPlex and Discovery Sports Center in Montgomery County, and Rick Towle, director of parks and recreation in Talbot County. Hasseltine urged his audience to contribute information regarding local facilities to the Sports Marketing Office's database. "I know they're there," he said, noting that his office is working to complete the first comprehensive directory of sports venues in the state.
"It's the parks, marinas, trails, ball fields, fairgrounds and natatoriums (indoor swimming pools) – not the multi-million dollar stadiums – that are essential for tapping into the growth areas of the sports-travel industry," he said. "Don't think of these venues as single entities. Think of them as components of a potential network that could host a regional tournament."
Fairfield Inn opens in Cumberland's Canal Place A new Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott opened in Cumberland's downtown Canal Place Preservation District earlier this month – capping a project that has taken more than a decade to fulfill. "It's been a long time in coming," said Renee Bone, executive director of Canal Place Preservation and Development Authority (CPPDA). The four-floor hotel has 96 rooms and 12 suites. It is located next to the Trestle Walk, a pedestrian walkway above the C&O Canal that connects the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad station with the C&O Canal Towpath. Downtown Cumberland has one other hotel, the Holiday Inn. Established by the state in 1993 and Maryland's first state-certified heritage area, CPPDA has completed 22 capital projects since 1996. It has used $16 million in state funds to leverage more than $38 million in federal funding and $10 million in private capital investment for these projects.
Support tourism at Travel Show in August Documentary photographs on display at Backas Gallery Win
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Governor taps Wisp president for Economic Development Commission
