Wouldn’t you like to see more of your local historic landmarks preserved for future generations?
In May 2006, the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced the availability of a new specialty tag for historic preservation. More than $20 from each $25 license tag fee will go to HPD’s Georgia Heritage Grant Program, which provides funding to help preserve significant historic buildings and sites owned by local governments and non-profit groups.
A license plate order form is available online at www.gashpo.org or by calling (404) 656-2840.
Past Georgia Heritage Grant projects in the coastal region include:
· The LeConte-Woodmanston Site, Liberty County, 1996 - $15,655
· Ossabaw Island Clubhouse, Chatham County, 1997 - $5,500
· Farmer’s Alliance Hall, McIntosh County, 2006 - $20,000
· St. Simons Lighthouse Keeper’s Building, Glynn County, 1997 - $3,600
· Nicholsonboro Baptist Church, Chatham County, 1998 - $12,000
Increased grant funding is dearly needed. In 1997, a special legislative study committee identified a $5 million per year goal for the Georgia Heritage program.
The grant program has not yet reached that goal; indeed it reached its highest point in SFY 2002 at $500,000 and funding amounts have been cut gradually since Sept. 11, 2001.
The license plate can be reserved at county tag offices for a $25 specialty tag fee. After 1,000 orders have been received, the plate will then be produced by the Georgia Motor Vehicle Division.
To find out more about the license plate and/or to use a mail-in order form to reserve a plate, please visit the HPD’s Web site at www.gashpo.org or contact HPD’s grant coordinator Carole Moore at (404) 463-8434; e-mail at carole_moore@dnr.state.ga.us.
The HPD serves as Georgia’s state historic preservation office. Their mission is to promote the preservation and use of historic places for a better Georgia. HPD’s programs include archaeology protection and education, environmental review, grants, historic resource surveys, tax incentives, the National Register of Historic Places, community planning and technical assistance.
For more information, call (404) 656-2840 or visit their Web site at www.gashpo.org.
