There are several proposed changes under consideration for grants made under Ohio’s Certified Local Governments program.

Under that program, a percentage of Ohio’s share of the federal Historic Preservation Fund is, in turn, re-granted to eligible communities.  Communities that participate in the CLG program -- of which there are presently 46 in Ohio -- are in a recognized partnership with the Ohio Historic Preservation Office and the US Department of the Interior.  To qualify for the designation, a local government must have a duly-adopted local historic preservation or design review ordinance that meets federal standards, a body to administer that ordinance, a method of surveying and nominating local properties to the National Register, and an avenue to create local awareness of preservation.  The Ohio CLG program is thoroughly discussed at this site.

Each year, the Ohio Historic Preservation accepts applications for CLG monies to be spent on qualifying projects.  In a press release issued on Tuesday from OHPO, it notes that “[p]rojects eligible for CLG grant assistance include historic preservation planning, surveying a community's historic resources, nominating historic properties and districts to the National Register of Historic Places, predevelopment and rehabilitation of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and public education programs on preservation-related topics.”

The press releases details proposed 2009 changes which include a new grant cycle with application date, changes in criteria for selecting successful grant proposals, and a change in priorities for grant funding.  A draft of all of these changes can be found at this site.  Commentary on these changes can be transmitted to OHPO by December 12; instructions on how to do so are included.

Photo:  Great Seal of Ohio, Ohio Statehouse -- thoth/Creative Commons License