State to offer preservation grants
The State Historic Preservation Office, or SHPO, is accepting applications for historic preservation survey and planning grants now through Oct. 31.
Approximately $80,000 is earmarked for this grant program, which is funded with money appropriated by the U.S. Congress for preservation efforts through the National Park Service Historic Preservation Fund.
State or local government agencies, not-for-profit organizations, for-profit organizations or firms and educational institutions are eligible to apply. Eligible projects include architectural and archaeological surveys, preparation of nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, heritage education programs relating to preservation activities, pre-development activities and comprehensive planning documents. Should there be sufficient funding, development grants will also be considered.
Grant funds are awarded on a matching basis through a competitive process.
The West Virginia Archives and History Commission will select projects that best meet the established priorities and criteria.
Program descriptions, a grants manual and application packets, including funding priorities and selection criteria are available by contacting Pamela Brooks, grants coordinator for SHPO, at 304-558-0240, ext. 720, or by writing: SHPO, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, The Culture Center, 1900 Kanawha Blvd., East, Charleston, West Virginia 25305-0300. More information can also be found at www.wvculture.org/shpo/forms.html.