DETROIT — Federal officials have reauthorized a national heritage area dedicated to preserving and promoting the automotive and labor heritage of Michigan.
The MotorCities National Heritage Area Partnership was reauthorized when Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act last week. The MotorCities board of directors credits Sen. Carl Levin and Rep. John Dingell with introducing legislation earlier this year to prevent the national heritage area from expiring.
MotorCities is affiliated with the National Park Service and is the only heritage area of its kind in Michigan. It's located throughout a region spanning more than 10,000 miles.
Shawn Pomaville, managing director of MotorCities, says the renewed affiliation will allow partner organizations to expand their capacity to tell the story of how the region helped put the world on wheels.
The national heritage area is associated with programs and partnerships such as "Autopalooza," a statewide auto heritage tourism initiative; "Making Tracks, The African American Experience in the Auto Industry," a cultural and educational program; and "The Willow Run Arsenal of Democracy Story Map," a preservation project with Washoe County.
