Arkansas Delta National Heritage Area Designation Study Nears Congressional Approval with Bipartisan Support
A feasibility study for designating the Arkansas Delta as a National Heritage Area (NHA) is in its final draft, with public comment currently open until December 11. This designation, if approved by Congress, would provide federal appropriations for 15 years. NHAs are congressionally designated areas that highlight the intersection of natural, historic, and cultural resources, managed locally through partnerships focused on preservation and economic development. The proposed Arkansas Delta NHA encompasses 17 counties in eastern Arkansas, including Craighead County. Officials involved in the study, including Nancy Morgan of POINT Heritage Development Consulting and Dr. Adam Long, executive director of Arkansas State University’s Heritage Sites, emphasize that the designation serves as an economic development strategy, offering Advertising and Promotion (A&P) Commissions an additional tool for marketing their communities. The plan has garnered support from Arkansas legislative leaders, including Senator Tom ...
