Developing the Heritage Corridor
A Heritage Area Planning Committee will be established to prepare a management plan for the Heritage Area. The Committee shall be a cooperative regional organization established to work with participating municipalities, businesses, organizations and residents to assemble a county and state-approved management plan for the heritage area assembled from the proposals submitted by each county and municipality therein. Creation of the plan shall be coordinated with the local planning, cultural and recreation activities of each governmental unit, and shall be based upon the mutual assent and participation of each governing body.

The Heritage Area Management Plan will use the following conceptual framework:

• A. DEFINITIONS of essential concepts.
  Heritage Resources are unique, fragile or locally significant elements of the natural or cultural environment
• Heritage Areas are collections of heritage assets which contribute to the distinctive identity or quality of life of a place
• Heritage Management involves recognizing, protecting, creatively promoting and developing heritage areas in order to stimulate orderly, sustainable economic growth.

B. THE GOAL OF HERITAGE MANAGEMENT:
To build vibrant and healthy communities for our citizens by stimulating the local economy, protecting the land, improving natural and human resources, and developing tourism.

C. STAGES OF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT.
Preserving the Corridor’s locally important natural and cultural resources will proceed in three stages: identifying assets, educating the public about them, and protecting them.
1. Identification (provides the ideological underpinning for the entire program)

• identify and map individual sites
• assess quality and rank status of each in relation to the others
• outline "linkages"
• the network of roads, trails, green spaces and waterways that connect sites in a coherent chain of history and culture
• cooperate with other agencies to extend knowledge base (archaeology, GIS, etc.)

2. Education (provides a context for appreciating the resources and enlists local support)

• produce informational and educational literature
• implement local heritage curriculum for school programs
• conduct adult education lectures and classes

3. Protection (validates the experiences that shape the community)

• use all available governmental and private means to preserve assets
• provide information to planners through the GIS system
• recognize individual efforts and acknowledge the value of local assistance
• provide incentives for protection of significant sites

D. HERITAGE MANAGEMENT POLICIES

• Improve the conditions of present-day communities by preserving and marketing their collective past through a shared overall vision.
• Preserve and improve the most unique or fragile elements of the rural environment so as to maintain cultural and biological diversity.
• Encourage public involvement with heritage issues by promoting understanding and awareness of local history and respect for the countryside
• Instill community pride by promoting local accomplishments and inspiring residents to become active participants in developing sustainable businesses and industries
• Create a regional ‘themes’ to help market tourism target areas and support ventures which will draw visitors
• Promote strategic, problem-driven, action-oriented planning with immediate and visible results to create momentum for long-term achievement
• Stimulate investment and reward cooperation among business and professional organizations and individuals
• Strengthen the capacity of local governments and civic organizations for creative and flexible involvement with heritage issues

E. HERITAGE MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES:
Undertake activities in four basic areas:

1. Actions to protect natural resources and the countryside

• scientific research and documentation
• implement measures for the protection of fauna, flora and landscape
• develop information for the public and the partners involved
• advise towns and villages regarding urban planning and individuals regarding rural development

2. Actions to improve and promote cultural heritage

• identify and protect historic sites and resources
• study traditions, ways of life and vernacular craft skills
• organize and support village festivals, musicals and dramatic events
• support initiatives undertaken by local individuals and organizations by:
  1. providing seed money: assisting partners through a program of grants and loans for planning and research, historic building acquisition and rehabilitation, and cultural and curatorial activities
  2. providing help: initiating an internship program to provide skilled student help in historical research, archives management, architecture, planning, preservation, and other disciplines

3. Actions to support and encourage economic development

• support agriculture through solutions best adapted to the region
• promote quality craft production
• support tourism development which respects history and the environment
• revitalize local commerce and develop appropriate new enterprises
• assist in planning and financing rural infrastructure improvements
• measure the project’s impact by tracking effects of economic activities undertaken through the project

4. Actions to promote sustainable tourism

• create an integrated regional marketing plan focused on tourism development as well as promotion
• make information available through state and regional visitors centers
• develop literature, websites and tours designed to promote corridor attractions
• develop public awareness activities and hospitality training
• develop and promote open-air leisure activities