| 114th Year, 19th Issue | Thursday, December 19, 2002 | Sparta, North Carolina |
A bill now pending in Congress may help boost the local and regional economy — particularly the tourism and cultural sectors — while protecting natural resources.
Late last month, the U.S. Senate passed a measure designating 25 counties in western North Carolina as a National Heritage area.
According to a release from U.S. Sen. John Edwards' office, the legislation would set aside as much as $10 million to preserve and develop the Blue Ridge Mountains as a historic and scenic destination. Edwards introduced the legislation in the Senate.
The bill is now awaiting approval by the U.S. House of Representatives. With the House now recessed for the year, that approval will have to wait until next year.
Mark Owen, a spokesperson for Advantage West, the Asheville-based regional economic development organization which helped seek the
National Heritage Area designation, was hopeful that the House approval could come early in 2003. He said western North Carolina's delegation in the House supports the bill; Rep. Charles Taylor of the 11th District introduced the bill in the House.
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