O'Malley's Budget Includes Canal Place Funds

CUMBERLAND, Md. (AP) -- Gov. Martin O'Malley is offering a helping hand to the struggling Canal Place heritage area in downtown Cumberland.

The Cumberland Times-News reports that the governor's fiscal year 2015 budget unveiled Wednesday includes $116,000 for operation of Canal Place.

Those funds would nearly cover a budget shortfall stemming from the city's and Allegany County's refusal to continue supporting the tourist attraction with hotel tax revenues.

Some local elected leaders say the 20-year-old project should be self-supporting.

Canal Place includes the restored Western Maryland Railway Station and a small collection of shops near the western end of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park.