THURSTON COUNTY GROUPS CAN APPLY FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANTS

OLYMPIA – Minor changes have been made to an historic preservation grant program that was run as a pilot for the first time this year.  The application period for the second round of grants is now coming up. The slightly revamped schedule now calls for the application period for 2011 awards to run from July 15 – August 31, 2010.  The Thurston County Historic Commission grant sub-committee will review and rank the applications in September.  The Historic Preservation Grant program is funded by revenues that the County collects from the recording of documents.  In addition to funding the grant program, the Board of Thurston County Commissioners used the funds to provide up to $10,000 annually for projects managed by the County Historic Commission and .2 FTE of a staff position to support the Commission.    In the pilot program earlier this year, 12 grant applications were received and on March 30^th  County Commissioners approved funding all applications for a total of $54,692. Commissioners have noted that the total of future grants would likely be limited to $30,000 a year. County Commissioners directed staff to run the first year of the program as pilot and check in with the historic preservation community after the first grants were awarded to see if there were ideas to improve the process. Minor changes were suggested including moving up the application and review timeline.  The application form and guidelines have been updated and are available on the Thurston County web site at: http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/historic-commission/HeritageGrantProgram.htm.  Once all the applications have been received, they will be reviewed by a sub-committee and then the entire Thurston County Historic Commission.  Thurston County Commissioners will then award the grants early in 2011. Anyone with questions should call Cami Petersen, Administrative Assistant, Resource Stewardship Department, 360-754-3355 ext. 6348.