Bipartisan efforts lead to House, Senate bills for Black Belt heritage designation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Bipartisan efforts by Alabama’s legislators in the U.S. Congress has led to the introduction of bills designating 19 counties in Alabama’s Black Belt as a National Heritage Area.

U.S. Sens. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Doug Jones (D-AL) introduced the measure in the Senate. Rep. Terry Sewell (D-AL-07) heads the House effort, supported by Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-AL-04), Martha Roby (R-AL-02) and Mike Rogers (R-AL-03).

The legislation names the Center for the Study of the Black Belt at the University of West Alabama as the local management entity.

Counties included in the proposed area are Bibb, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Washington and Wilcox.

Congress establishes National Heritage Areas through the National Park Service to assist efforts to protect and promote communities regarded as distinctive because of their culture, history, resources and environment.

Through public-private partnerships, NHAs create a diverse, community-driven approach to increase heritage conservation, economic development, recreation and tourism.

The only other NHA in Alabama is the Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area.

The Senate bill – entitled the “Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area Act,”– would allow for federal funding to be directed to the designated region over the span of 15 years.

“Designating Alabama’s Black Belt region as a National Heritage Area will not only promote tourism, but it will also increase public awareness of the natural, historical and cultural assets our state has to offer,” said Sen. Shelby.

“Investing in this region to preserve these unique and diverse resources is important for future generations.  If passed, this legislation could have significant impact for years to come.”

“Alabama’s Black Belt counties were originally named due to the area’s rich, black topsoil,” said Sen. Jones. 

“While that is still an accurate depiction of the area, another is of the Black Belt’s rich history and culture, Jones continued.  “The 19 counties that make up Alabama’s Black Belt has been home to some of our greatest artists, writers and leaders.  This legislation will help preserve and celebrate this historic region through much needed investment.”

“As the birthplace of America’s civil and voting rights movements, Alabama’s Black Belt has played an incredibly important role in shaping our nation’s history,” said Rep. Sewell.

“The Alabama Black Belt Heritage Act will help make available more resources to ensure the sites and stories of the civil rights and voting rights movements are preserved for future generations,” she added.

“Preserving the rich culture and history of Alabama’s Black Belt is of great importance to the entire state,” said Rep. Aderholt. “I commend Rep. Sewell for her hard work on this legislation and look forward to the Black Belt joining Muscle Shoals in being designated as a National Heritage Area.”

 “With additional technical assistance from the National Park Service and federal funding, the Alabama Black Belt will be better-equipped to safeguard important ecological and cultural resources for generations to come,” said Alan Spears, Senior Director of Cultural Resources for National Parks Conservation Association. “We expect this support will generate economic growth for a region rising above hardship.”

Sen. Shelby and former Sen. Jeff Sessions introduced similar legislation in 2009.