The process of becoming a National Heritage Area requires a feasibility study. We will examine such studies of the Susquehanna Area here along with other strategic plans for the area.
National Heritage Area Designation Feasibility Study Report
2008
Public Involvement:
The main strategy for public involvement was to foster local engagement throughout York and Lancaster. Through creating local committees and opportunities for citizen engagement, the Susquehanna Area maintains it’s participation and support from the communities it encompasses.
Significance:
The Susquehanna National Heritage Area claims local and national significance for a variety of reasons. The area is home to a large Amish community. This community represents a unique and significant part of American and Pennsylvanian culture. Additionally, the York-Lancaster area supports a variety of lifestyle diversity through both agricultural regions as well as unique town life. The Susquehanna River itself marks a natural wonder of the region. In addition to the river, the surrounding area offers numerous hiking trails, fishing spots, wildlife habitats, parks and many more sites to explore. The area is also home to many sites and stories with rich historic significance. From Native American life, to early American commerce, to the Revolutionary and Civil war, York and Lancaster saw many nationally significant events unfold throughout American history.
Awareness Plans:
To protect the historic, cultural, and natural resources of the area, the National Heritage Area plans to develop a series of programs to promote awareness about these various resources as well as create a partnership network to ensure the protection of these resources (Pages 47-50 of Feasibility Study Report).
Impact of NHA Designation:
Receiving National Heritage Area designation was the primary goal for the Susquehanna Area when this report was crafted. The reason for this was that this designation would greatly increase the ability of the area to create a network to preserve and promote what the region has to offer. NHA designation makes attaining political and financial support much easier. By having a partnership with the National Park Service, an area is legitimized and finds a much stronger foothold for political conversations. Additionally, this designation increases awareness of the area’s resources and increases the flow of visitors to the various opportunities provided by the NHA. (Here is an article that examines more closely what benefits this designation brings to the Susquehanna region: Link)
Susquehanna Heritage Strategic Plan
2019-2021
This is the three-year strategic plan for the Susquehanna Heritage Area. It includes three major categories: Recognition, Tourism, and Funding/Management.
Since the creation of this strategic plan, the area has achieved one of its major goals of receiving NHA designation.
Plans to promote tourism include creating organized centers for visitors to receive information about the area and the opportunities to explore and learn more about its culture and history.
Goals for management of the area are primarily focused on securing support from donors as well as create an overarching organizational structure for staffing the region.
Susquehanna National Heritage Area Annual Report
2019
This annual report from 2019 covers the regions progress in the various aspects of its three-year plan. It outlines tourism and financial data as well as the highlights of projects in the region.
The Susquehanna National Heritage Area 