According to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History’s website, the popular Community Heritage Preservation Grant (CHPG) program has been funded this year, after skipping a year in 2012. Three million dollars is available for brick-and-mortar renovation projects around the state, and is primarily aimed at historic courthouses and schools that are designated as Mississippi Landmarks. For instance, the Mendenhall School would qualify, if perchance the Mendenhall mayor and Simpson County School District would decide to be renovators rather than destroyers.

Here’s the full press release from MDAH–note that the downloadable application has some interesting photos of previous grant projects. Check it out!

$3M Available for Preservation Projects

A popular grant program for preservation projects across the state has been reauthorized. The 2013 Mississippi legislature provided for $3 million for competitive grants in the ninth round of the Community Heritage Preservation Grant Program, which helps preserve, restore, rehabilitate, and interpret historic courthouses and schools. In Certified Local Government communities grant funds may also be used for projects involving historic buildings other than courthouses or schools. Only properties that have been designated Mississippi Landmarks are eligible for the grants.

The MDAH Board of Trustees will award the grants at a special meeting in December. All grant projects must be completed by December 1, 2016.

Only county or municipal governments, school districts, and nonprofit organizations granted Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the IRS may submit applications. A cash match of at least 20 percent is required, and grant awards are reimbursed upon the successful completion of the project.

To become a Certified Local Government, a community must adopt a preservation ordinance establishing a preservation commission in accordance with federal and state guidelines. Once the commission has been established, application for CLG status may be made to the National Park Service through the Department of Archives and History. MDAH works closely with local government officials and citizens to help them create and manage a workable local historic preservation program. To learn more about the CLG program, email Michelle Jones or call 662-325-2520.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on September 27, 2013. For more information contact MDAH by email or call 601-576-6937.

Categories: Courthouses, Grants, Historic Preservation, Renovation Projects, Schools