Designated Preserve America Communities, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, and communities who have officially submitted their Preserve America designation applications are eligible for grants up to $15,000 to use cultural resources to improve local economies.
"We are excited that Preserve America Communities and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices across Montana can benefit from these grant dollars," she said. "Many communities just need the infusion of grants to support their excellent preservation education and heritage tourism training ideas."
Each community and tribe can apply for a minimum of $3,000 up to $15,000. All grants must be matched one for one with cash or in-kind services, and multiple projects not exceeding $15,000 can be submitted, she said. This is the second such grant the Society has received and made available across the state.
Qualifying communities can also apply for up to $500 for staff or volunteers to attend heritage tourism or preservation-related training programs.
Eligible applicants are encouraged to combine their education and training efforts with other eligible applicants, she said. Individuals or groups with ideas for how to better use heritage resources for economic development can contact their local governments to get involved in the process.
Local projects can include such things as community training in local history and heritage resources for educators or employees in tourism-related business, training volunteers as guides for historic sites and downtown tours, or Native American historic preservation conferences, Schliesman said.
"We are especially looking for projects that can be copied in other communities to promote preservation and cultural tourism," she said.
For complete information on grant applications interested persons can go on line to http://mhs.mt.gov/shpo/default.asp. For more information or assistance contact Schliesman at 406-444-7742 or email rschliesman@mt.gov, or Roxann Lincoln, 406-444-7768, or email rlincoln@mt.gov. Grant applications must be received by 5 p.m. Dec. 14.
Preserve America is a White House initiative supported by several federal agencies.