Gov. Maura Healey pitched a multi-year celebration of the 250th anniversary of American independence as a likely economic driver for Massachusetts that could see people flock to the state from around the world.
Both the Bay State and Boston are set to bask in the limelight as festivities continue for the next two years after starting in December with the semiquincentennial of the Boston Tea Party. The potential spike in interest in Massachusetts could provide a boon for local businesses, Healey said.
Healey said she has spoken with the governors of Virginia and Pennsylvania — two states whose history is also integral to the founding of the United States — who also know the “game is on” to attract tourists during the 250th anniversary.
“Everybody in their states knows what an economic boon it is to their states and so that’s a piece of this certainly,” she said. “It’s going to be significant in terms of the economic benefit it’s going to bring into so many activities, so many events — hospitality, restaurants, our hotels. All across the state, it’s going to be really, really significant. And part of the launch today is to make sure we get ahead of this because we are the birthplace.”
After a Paul Revere reenactor delivered a warning to Healey that British regulars were approaching Boston, the governor said her administration planned to provide $1.5 million in funding for 37 different celebratory projects across the state.
Dollars for anniversary-related initiatives will go to events across the state covering historical moments like the “Shot Heard Around the World,” the Battle of Bunker Hill, and Paul Revere’s ride, according to the Healey administration.
