At the annual CLG Forum in Jefferson City, Pam Huttsell, Chair of the Fayette Historic Preservation Commission, accepted a certificate from the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Director Toni Prawl, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the City of Fayette’s participation in the Certified Local Government (CLG) program. The National Park Service certified Fayette as a CLG on November 7, 2003. 

The CLG program supports local governments to protect their historic places and participate in various state and federal historic preservation processes by partnering with the SHPO and the National Park Service. To become a CLG, a community must enact a historic preservation ordinance for the city and establish a historic preservation commission composed of local residents committed to the community’s historic preservation activities. 

Many communities choose to become CLGs because of preferential access to Historic Preservation Fund (HPF) grants from the SHPO. Fayette has successfully applied for seven HPF grants over the last few decades, which has brought in more than $67,000 in federal funds for historic preservation in the city. These grants resulted in historic architectural surveys, National Register of Historic Places nominations, and predevelopment projects for the Fayette pool and public library.

“Grants are an excellent way to preserve historic resources.” said Andrew Dial, SHPO grants manager, “Fayette’s use of Historic Preservation Fund grants to preserve its library and swimming pool are examples for other communities to emulate.”

Another grant application will be submitted this week for Fayette pool. The city council gave unanimous approval or a resolution in support of the proposal of the 50-50 matching land and water conservation grant during a special meeting held on Tuesday, November 7. This is similar to a grant application that was declined last year. 

“I think the deficiencies that we had last year, they are covered in this grant application,” Huttsell told the council.

The council also voted to pledge $10,000 toward the project over the next two fiscal years along with in-kind work.

The total budget for the pool project is $70,394.20. The city’s portion amounts to $35,247. So far, $25,147 has been pledged toward the project, excluding city funds.

Grant awards will be announced in June of next year.