The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission announced this week applications are now being accepted for 2005 Historic Preservation Certified Local Government (CLG) Grants.

The deadline for applications is January 14.

CLG grants help local governments strengthen their local historic preservation efforts and expand their preservation activities. Grants may be used to:

· Conduct systematic surveys to identify and evaluate the municipality's historic and archaeological resources;

· Prepare nominations for the National Register of Historic Places;

· Prepare and publish new or revised historic district design guidelines including signage guidelines;

· Develop the necessary documentation (maps, photographs, inventories, research and writing) to designate additional municipal historic districts or to enlarge a previously designated municipal historic district;

· Offer historic preservation training for CLG review board/commission members and staff;

· Develop and publish brochures or educational materials that explain municipal historic preservation responsibilities, activities, programs, and/or local regulatory procedures;

· Develop a municipal historic preservation plan or to develop a historic preservation plan as a component of a local government's comprehensive plan;

· Prepare predevelopment documents (architectural plans and specifications, engineering and feasibility studies, and historic structure reports) for buildings or structures currently listed in the National Register (project must advance the CLG's historic preservation goals).

To be certified, local governments must maintain a historic preservation commission, survey local historic properties, enforce local preservation laws and provide for public participation in preservation activities and the grants can be used to carry out these responsibilities. Municipalities do not have to achieve CLG status by the time the grant application is due, but if awarded a grant, they must have achieved CLG status by the contract start date in order to receive grant funds.

For information on how to become a Certified Local Government or to discuss the program in detail, contact Michel R. Lefevre at 717-787-0771.

Applicants for PHMC grants are required to use the web-based electronic grant application process (eGrant). Exceptions will be made for those applicants who do not have Internet access. Inquiries on exceptions should be directed to Bryan Van Sweden at (717) 772-5071.

12/31/2004