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WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) announced that their bipartisan bill, the National Heritage Area Act, unanimously passed the U.S. Senate. The bill would support National Heritage Areas across the country including Michigan's MotorCities National Heritage Area in Southeast Michigan.

The National Heritage Area Act reauthorizes MotorCities and the 44 other National Heritage Areas set to expire by 2024 for another 15 years, ensuring long-term security for these sites and the communities they benefit. The bill also sets up a much needed framework for the designation and management of new and existing National Heritage Areas.

"National Heritage Areas not only commemorate our nation's history, but also create jobs and boost tourism for communities across the country," said Senator Stabenow. "This legislation ensures that Michigan's own MotorCities National Heritage Area can continue to preserve and share our rich automotive history for years to come."

"National Heritage Areas allow us to commemorate our nation's history and help generate further economic development in Michigan and regions across the country. We're proud in Michigan to be home to the MotorCities National Heritage Area, which highlights how our automotive heritage – and the workers who built automobiles across generations – transformed society," said Senator Peters. "Our bill ensures we can preserve the story of how Michigan put America on wheels, built a world-class workforce that has transcended generations and upheld our reputation as a leader in mobility-while boosting our economy."

Designated by Congress in 1998, the MotorCities National Heritage Area Partnership is a nonprofit corporation affiliated with the National Park Service. The Partnership's mission is to preserve and promote the region's automotive and labor heritage. Every year, MotorCities attracts thousands of visitors and helps generate over $489 million in economic support to Michigan communities, supporting 5,343 jobs.

Stabenow and Peters have been champions for funding for MotorCities, successfully authoring and passing the Preserving the MotorCities Heritage Act in 2019.

U.S. Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ed Markey (D-MA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Rob Portman (R-OH) are also co-sponsors of the National Heritage Area Act. The National Heritage Area Act is supported by the Alliance of National Heritage Areas and the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA).