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Ryan Reintroduces Bill for Heritage District Study
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles has reintroduced legislation for a study that could result in establishing the Western Reserve Heritage Area, which would include Trumbull, Mahoning, Portage and Summit Counties and as many as 10 additional counties that were all part of the original Western Reserve territory. The bill, the Western Reserve Heritage Area Study Act, passed the House of Representatives, but the 108th Congress ended before getting Senate approval. "Our region is filled with a rich and vibrant history. By achieving recognition for our region as a National Heritage Area we can preserve and promote our natural, historical and cultural heritage while creating economic development opportunities," said Ryan, who represents Ohio's 17th District. If approved by the House and Senate and signed into law by President Bush, the bill would make the 17th District and surrounding areas eligible to receive up to $10 million over 10 years for a newly designated "heritage area" with the potential for additional federal dollars in future years.If the study confirms that the Western Reserve territory region meets the National Park Service guidelines, then a subsequent bill will be introduced that will establish the 28th National Heritage Area, Ryan said. He noted that heritage areas have been a great resource to enhance and promote a region and encourage public-private support for investment in preservation, conservation and economic initiatives.Encompassing the counties of Trumbull, Mahoning, Ashtabula, Portage, Geagua, Lake, Cuyahoga, Summit, Medina, Huron, Lorain, Erie, Ottawa and Ashland, the Western Reserve was established by Connecticut Gov. Jonathon Trumbull in 1786 as one of the first settlements outside of the original 13 colonies. It became the destination of many settlers whose property and land were devastated by the Revolutionary War. "