Sen. Tracy announces Historic Preservation Grants

(NASHVILLE, TN), May 5, 2008  -- State Senator Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) said today that Bedford County is set to benefit from two historic preservation grants.  Bedford County is included in the South Central Tennessee Development District that will receive a $45,000 grant to fund a preservation specialist position.  The county will also receive $2,900 to help train commissioners and staff on the Shelbyville Historic Zoning Commission. The grants were two of only a handful of requests approved by the Tennessee Historical Commission for federal funds sent to the state by the US Department of Interior.
 
“The people of Bedford County are very proud of our heritage and dedicated to preserving our area's historic sites, said Sen. Tracy.  "These grants will help us achieve that goal."

The grants are a result of the federal National Historic Preservation Act, which allocates federal dollars to worthy projects based on a number of strict criteria.  The grants are administered by the Tennessee Historical Commission, which awards them based on the applicant's ability to demonstrate the purpose of preserving archeological sites, historic districts and structures. 

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