NMI gets $63K share of $26.7M grant for historic preservation

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The CNMI has been awarded a $63,829 grant for historic preservation, part of a $26.7 million grant package from the Historic Preservation Fund announced by Secretary Ken Salazar Friday.

The $26.7 million grants will go to the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, and three independent Pacific island nations. The grants will enable the states to preserve and protect the nation’s historic sites without expending tax dollars.

“These grants will enable citizens of every state and territory to keep alive their heritage as a vital part of the American experience,” Secretary Salazar said. “The grants are not only an investment in the story of America, but will also drive tourism and strengthen local economies.”

Besides the CNMI, other U.S. territories also get a share in the funds: Guam, $62,154; U.S. Virgin Islands, $68,030; American Samoa, $49,543; and Puerto Rico, $293,500. The three Pacific island nations are FSM, $234,153; Palau, $135,701; and Marshall Islands, $135,701.

The Historic Preservation Fund is supported by revenue from federal oil leases on the Outer Continental Shelf. The National Park Service administers the fund on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior and uses the majority of appropriated funds to distribute matching grants to State and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers.

“Throughout the country, HPF grants and other federal historic preservation programs help sustain and revitalize communities,” National Park Service director Jon Jarvis said. “Historic preservation promotes heritage tourism and can transform under-utilized and often-vacant historic buildings into revenue-generators for local economies. The National Park Service is honored to be invited into so many communities and is proud to assist in saving and sharing history.”

States officials use the grants to fund preservation projects, such as survey and inventory, National Register nominations, preservation education, architectural planning, historic structure reports, community preservation plans, and bricks-and-mortar repair to buildings.

Ten percent of each state’s allocation must be sub-granted to Certified Local Governments—city and county governments certified by the National Park Service and the state as having made a local commitment to historic preservation. These funds are spent on local projects, with selection decisions made at the state level.[I] (DOI)[/I]