A proposed national heritage area for the “Kentucky Wildlands” would get a long-awaited green light under companion House and Senate bills that benefit from powerful patrons and a National Park Service thumbs-up.
Citing the region’s distinctive cultural and natural resources, two of the most senior members of Congress have jointly introduced bills that would designate 35 counties as the Bluegrass State’s first national heritage area. The designation of the area would bring with it possible technical assistance and federal funding along with definite local pride.
“Our state’s Appalachian region deserves to be preserved for families to enjoy, and this project will help do just that while driving more visitors and economic activity into Eastern Kentucky communities,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)
The project that McConnell noted has been “years in the making” got its Capitol Hill launch in 2019 when McConnell and Rep. Harold Rogers (R-Ky.) pushed through a bill authorizing a National Park Service feasibility study of the proposed Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area. Rogers on Oct. 18 introduced the House version of the new bill, H.R. 10016, that would take the final step in designating the heritage area.
