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Utah Main Street, a program of the Utah State Historic Preservation Office, announces they have received funding from the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant.
The Utah program will receive $749,160, a portion of the $12 million allocated by the National Park Service to support preservation efforts nationwide. The Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant is designed to preserve historic buildings and promote economic growth in rural communities.The grants are paid for by the Historic Preservation Fund, which uses revenue from federal offshore oil and gas leases to support a broad range of preservation projects without spending tax dollars.
The Utah SHPO was one of only three state historic preservation offices across the country to receive this year’s award. The grant award underscores the vital work being done by SHPO and Utah Main Street to revitalize local economies while preserving the unique cultural heritage of Utah’s rural communities.
The funding will enhance preservation and revitalization efforts in designated Utah Main Street communities with populations under 50,000, providing critical resources to maintain and restore historic buildings that are essential to the character and economic viability of these regions.
“Historic preservationists know that the fastest way to kill an old building is to underutilize it,” said Amber Anderson, technical preservation manager. “ SHPO is very grateful and excited to see these funds be channeled into rural Main Street projects, breathing new life into the buildings that directly tie us to our history.”
The National Park Service historic revitalization grant is designed to help communities rehabilitate historic properties and promote local economic development. In Utah, the grant will allow Utah Main Street work with local governments, property owners, and stakeholders in rural Main Street communities. The grants will focus on activation and conversion of upper floors into needed housing, and foster the creation of publicly-accessible ground level spaces to support new local businesses.
“Historic preservation is economic development,” said Chelsea Gauthier, Utah Main Street program manager. “With this funding, we’ll be able to support rural Main Street communities and property owners to revitalize Utah’s small towns with renewed energy and a stronger sense of place. These projects will transform historic buildings by adding upper-floor housing units, while creating vibrant, inviting commercial spaces that support local entrepreneurs and foster homegrown innovation.”
With the funding secured, Utah Main Street and SHPO will soon announce the criteria of the grant structure for funding projects in Utah’s rural Main Street districts. Communities interested in participating are encouraged to contact Utah Main Street for information about how they can apply for funding and technical assistance.
About Utah SHPO
The Utah State Historic Preservation Office is one of 59 state offices across the United States and its territories responsible for advising and assisting agencies and the public in historic preservation. SHPOs are tasked with administering programs related to historic buildings, archaeological sites, historic records, burial information, cultural site stewardship, funding, local government, and main streets. The Utah SHPO works to preserve the past for the benefit of all state residents.
About Utah Main Street
As a Main Street America™ Coordinating Program, Utah Main Street helps to lead a powerful, grassroots network consisting of more than 40 coordinating programs and more than 1,200 neighborhoods and communities across the country committed to creating high-quality places and to building stronger communities through preservation-based economic development.
About the National Park Service’s Historic Revitalization Grant
The Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant supports the preservation of historic buildings in rural communities across the United States by providing grants to local governments and nonprofits. The program seeks to boost rural economies and ensure that historic structures are preserved for future generations. “The National Park Service helps rural areas across the country revitalize their communities through historic preservation,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “This locally stewarded work supports improvements to historic buildings, preserving America’s cultural resources while benefiting local economies.” More information here.
