Niagara Falls' new slogan

The Discover Niagara Shuttle and its updated route for 2017

The America First Budget mentions National Heritage Areas specifically, and hopes to "Eliminate unnecessary, lower priority, or duplicative programs, including discretionary Abandoned Mine Land grants that overlap with existing mandatory grants, National Heritage Areas that are more appropriately funded locally, and National Wildlife Refuge fund payments to local governments that are duplicative of other payment programs." Said Niagara Falls National Heritage Area executive director Sara Capen about the proposed budget, "It is interesting as there is a contradiction in the language he used in his budget pertaining to value programs that utilize private-public partnerships." Capen pointed out that that is "exactly" what the NFNHA does.

"The National Heritage Area program is a cost effective, community based program that leverages $5 of local and private investment for every federal dollar invested. We are one of the only programs that are required to match federal dollars. The Niagara Falls National Heritage Area receives a $300,000 appropriation each year. In 2017, I was anticipating that we would have a 4 to 1 match. Our projects, including the Discover Niagara Shuttle, are proven catalysts for economic development in Niagara Falls, Lewiston and Youngstown. Every dollar of our funding is invested into Western New York," said Capen in a statement.

The Interior Department alone "employs 70,000 people at more than 2,000 locations to fulfill its mission, managing 530 million acres —20 percent of U.S. territory." The elimination of National Heritage Areas will not only contribute to the loss of jobs for those employed in the non-profits themselves, but also wreak havoc on partners affiliated with the Areas that directly benefit from their advocacy and association with each other. In the end, this will only harm the 49 areas of the country represented by National Heritage Areas. This greatly contradicts Trump's promise to create jobs.

For people who know me, it is no secret that I found growing up in Western New York difficult. However, the Falls were my first introduction to the area as a five year old tagging along with my parents to look at houses. I still recall the wonder I felt as a kid, looking at the rushing water that was so much bigger than me as they were brightly lit up at night. Being dragged around the park by my parents for years on end whenever extended family came to visit, and not stopping by the park to see this thing that had become just a waterfall for a long time. Years later, while interning (twice) with the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area in high school, I found a new appreciation for the Falls, and it's one of the places I associate most with going home now that I am in college.

Niagara Falls is personal for many Western New Yorkers. We went to the park as kids with our parents. We went on field trips and learned about the daredevils that went over the Falls in barrels in school. We've watched a Wallenda walk the span of the waterfall on a tightrope and the park fall apart and be renovated. Eliminating National Heritage Areas will only harm the continued restoration of the area, including the park and the legacy of the Underground Railroad and several of Frederick Law Olmsted's conservation projects and the bringing back of jobs.