Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) has awarded $120,100 in Certified Local Government (CLG) grants to help municipalities with a wide array of heritage preservation activities.
Among the projects funded is the cultivation of new audiences for the preservation of architectural heritage, the development of inventory strategies and training for Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) staff and members.
PHMC awarded nine grants. Grant amounts range from $4,000 to $18,000 and require a 50/50 match from the municipality. Grants are awarded through a competitive selection process.
The Certified Local Government program is a decentralized partnership among the federal government, states and local governments. PHMC administers the National Park Service’s (NPS) grant program.
CLG grants support cultural resource surveys, National Register nominations, historic preservation planning, staffing and training, pooling grants and third-party administration.
To become certified, a local government must meet several requirements. Most importantly, it must have enacted a historic preservation ordinance and appointed a historic district (or preservation commission) with at least two members who meet NPS professional qualification standards.
One of the benefits of certification is a local government’s eligibility to compete annually for CLG grant funds. Every year, the commonwealth makes at least 10 percent of its annual apportionment of the Historic Preservation Fund available to CLGs meeting minimum requirements.
The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission is the official history agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Visit PHMC online at www.phmc.state.pa.us.
MEDIA CONTACT: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639
Editor’s Note: The following is a list of Certified Local Government Grant Awards by municipality.
City of Allentown - $12,000
Funds will be used to hire a historic preservation specialist to assist with reviewing applications for alterations to buildings in its historic districts.
Borough of Ambridge - $14,000
Funds will be used to develop an inventory of historic properties within the Old Economy Historic District, and to review and update Ambridge’s Historical Preservation Ordinance.
Borough of Bellefonte - $12,100
Funds will be used to assist Bellefonte Borough with the administration and training of the borough’s HARB. The funds will provide assistance to the 2018 “Old House Fair,” an annual event first held in 2016.
City of Bethlehem - $13,500
Funds will be used to delegate Preservation PA to contract with the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions to conduct a training session for HARB staff and members.
City of Lancaster - $13,200
Funds will be used to cultivate new audiences and advocates for preserving Lancaster’s architectural heritage through social media and manage the ordinances protecting the city’s historic character.
Township of Lower Merion - $18,000
Funds will be used to develop design guidelines to streamline the review processes of the historical commission and HARB. Funds will also be used to assist property owners in understanding how the historical commission and HARB review proposals.
City of Pittsburgh - $18,000
Funds will be used by the City of Pittsburgh to complete additional architectural inventory.
City of Williamsport - $4,300
Funds will be used to provide administrative support for preparing reviews, to amend the “Significant Buildings and Site List” and to post HARB web updates.
City of York - $15,000
Funds will be used to defray costs associated with providing professional staff for HARB and to create educational opportunities for the board and the general public.