Programs: Management & general* final draft of the heritage area's management plan update was reviewed and accepted by board and administrative staff* the 2017 pa dcnr grant work plan has been approved, which will permit rivers of steel heritage corporation (rshc) to draw down the grant funds. * final approvals were given by csx railroad, allegheny county, and duquesne light to allow the installation of electricity to the carrie furnaces site. Rshc will continue to power the site with as much solar energy as possible. A larger, dependable source of electricity will allow rshc to stop renting generators to power equipment and lighting required for special events. * minor repairs and improvements were made to the carrie furnace (nhl), bost building (nhl), w. A. Young machine & foundry and the pump house including the lightwell and the restoration of some of the windows. * data and financial files continue to be backed up on-site and off-site 24/7. Files are retrieved periodically to test the system. * the 2018 pa dcnr grant work plan was approved, which will permit rshc to draw down these commonwealth grant funds. * a new software system to collect, compile, analyze and process transactions from every person that rshc touches into long-term donors was purchased at year-end. Staff will go through intensive training in 2018. * a full-time maitenance manager was hired to methodically restore the structural integrity at all of the rshc facilities. Interpretive planning/exhibits* the 2017 tour season for the carrie furnaces national historic landmark continued through the end of october and was one of the most successful to date. * rivers of steel arts (rosa) continued preparation of the metalworking programming throughout the mon valley. Rosa's signature event includes a hot metal pour into scratch (sand) molds for artists and the public to show their artistic talents while witnessing how iron is made. *planning began to expand the arts program along the mon valley creative corridor similar to the trails town and river towns programs. Economic development* receptive services staff continues to develop and promote new tourpackages to increase the self-sustainability of the organization andbegan to push outward into surrounding counties to further develop andmarket their heritage sites. In 2017, this program produced it highest gross revenues to date and positioning itself for expanson to international markets. * rivers of steel continues to host and attend the carrie furnaces steeringcommittee meetings that bring local elected officials together todiscuss the future development of the brownfield site. Rivers of steel was instrumental in physically bringing electricity to the site, which will benefit rshc's tours, event rentals and future development of the site. * rshc is continuing its partnership with the pennsylvania council onthe arts by participating in state-level meetings to expand itsactivities and share information with other similar pa organizations. *a director of education was hired to lead and oversee our k-12 environmental education program on our recently acquired 94' green river vessel with a capacity of over 90 students per cruise. This position will train and coordinate the educational programming for the boat and our other facilities. * continued to sponsor and provide administrative support to the mobilesculpture workshop for their 2017 program to teach inner-city youth howto weld for future artistic and/or trade careers. The msw's has movedits operation to our carrie furnaces site. * continued to provide technical assistance to washington's trail -1753 committee to commemorate 21-year-old george washington's firstmilitary-diplomatic mission from williamsburg, virginia, throughfrench-controlled territory to fort leboeuf in western pennsylvania, a1,000-mile round-trip journey. Advancing heritage development* respond to project development ideas from heritage area partners;* identify funding resources from heritage area partners;* preserve, interpret and store archival documents and artifacts;* maintain and operate trailhead parking area and public restroom;* establish and grow relationships with public and private sectorheritage area partners to increase tourism and economic developmentopportunities;* assist county and regional convention and visitor bureaus withdeveloping the group travel market which in turn helps grow economicopportunities in the region;* operate the bost building visitors center with interpretative andlive educational programming;* operate and maintain financial system to record and account for allincome and expense;* maintain hardware and software to store organizational, financial,archival and historical records;* maintain and enhance multiple websites, including the planning for a significant overhaul of our main website. Riversofsteel. Com;* provide tourism development for historic sites and attractions in oureight-county heritage area;*a development director was hired to develop and centralize all fundraising activities, including grants, memberships, donations, sponsorships and other related aspects;* maintain professional workplace/space to enable an efficient andeffective use of staff;* identify, hire and retain a professional staff to efficiently andeffectively achieve the organization's and grant funders' missions;* meet with individuals and organizations to discuss current and futureheritage area projects;* develop projects to obtain funding to maintain, expand and enhancelocal heritage assets, outdoor recreational opportunities and othermission-driven initiatives;* develop and distribute educational materials to communicate theregion's heritage to a worldwide audience through dvds, walking tours,guided tours and the internet;* disseminate dcnr grant and programmatic information to organizationsand individuals;* provide space to local non-profit organizations to hold meetings;* plan and operate two festivals (may and october) for regional artistsand performers to showcase their talents;* provide fiscal agent services to partners that are not 501c(3)'s. * interpret heritage sites;* write and publish e-newsletter on a regular basis;* meet with local, state and federal elected officials/bureaucrats topromote tourism and economic development;* provide historical industrial locations to local and national commercial filmmakers to create local film crew jobs and increase rshc operating funds;* speaking engagements at rotaries and other civic/social clubs;* identify and apply for grants to leverage state funding grants;* attend professional meetings with dcnr and other heritage areaofficials in harrisburg;* peer-to-peer interaction and assistance with other heritage areastaff and partners;*rshc continued to administer the mini-grant program funded by the department of conservation and natural resources. Heritage, recreational, and tourism organizations within the eight county heritage area are invited to apply for grants up to $20,000 to enhance/develop projects to increase opportunities in these developing areas.
