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The Western Reserve is made up of all or portions of 13 Northeast Ohio counties, including all of Lake, Geauga, Ashtabula and Cuyahoga counties.
Such a designation could result in the collection of $1 million annually for 10 years in federal funds to promote tourism, economic development, education, marketing and national recognition through the National Parks System.
Spearheading the federal initiative by seeking a $200,000 park service study grant is U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Niles, with local support from U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township.
Other local supporters include Lake County commissioners, the Lake County Historical Society and the Lake County Visitors Bureau.
Meeting Monday at the Kirtland Temple Visitors Center were representatives from area educational, conservation and institutional bodies, along with local and county historical leaders.
Ryan's press secretary, Pat Lowry, spoke on the subject.
"I didn't even know there was a Western Reserve until we started this project, so I'm a learner too," Lowry said.
Lowry told the assemblage that according to federal requirements, a prospective heritage area must be a real place with contiguous counties.
The Western Reserve area meets that definition, with its own unique history, structural artifacts, institutions and even architecture, said Kathie Purmal, executive director of the Lake County Historical Society.
"This area is an historic gold mine," Purmal said.
"Designation by the federal government could open the door to a treasure chest of money and federal support for tourism and economic development."
Currently, there are 34 designated historic sites in the U.S., including the entire state of Tennessee and the Ohio & Erie Canal area.
These areas have received 382 grants and leveraged more than $53 million in private, local, state and federal funding. They have attracted more than 68 million visitors and generated $1.3 billion in local investments, Lowry said.
"What we have to do is convince both the Congress and the National Park Service that the stories of the Western Reserve are important to tell, and that they are part of the nation's story," Lowry said.
The first step is securing the $200,000 for a two-year parks service study, based upon local historic input and potential administrative activity, Lowry said.
Ryan had the $200,000 secured in the House version of the federal budget, but this item was not part of the Senate version.
Therefore, either the money will be restored in the compromised conference version, or funding for the study would have to come locally, Lowry said.
"There are some people who actually are hoping that the money isn't restored and has to come locally. That would demonstrate serious local commitment to the project," Lowry said.
Lowry did caution that the road is a long one and could take several years from the time of the study until the parks service actually recommends designation to the Congress.
"Raising $200,000 over 14 counties shouldn't be an impossible task," Lowry said.
LaTourette said there is no downside to the designation, and it would be a great benefit to the region.
"The Western Reserve has a wonderfully rich history, and this designation would help with efforts to promote tourism and economic development in the area," LaTourette said.
"Tim Ryan and I are hopeful that we can get this done because it could mean another funding stream for the area."
