Sen. Tracy announces Historic Preservation Grants for MTSU

(NASHVILLE, TN), May 6, 2008  -- State Senator Jim Tracy (R-Shelbyville) said today that Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) is set to receive two historic preservation grants from the federal government totaling $24,000. 

The first grant, which is $20,000, would allow the university’s Department of Geography to enter historic site survey data in a GIS database.  The other grant, which is $4,000, will go to MTSU’s Department of Sociology and Anthropology to promote and educate the public and students about archaeology through Archaeology Awareness Week. 

 “The people of Rutherford 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. 

"With limited federal funds, we were very fortunate to get these grants," Tracy added. “We thank and congratulate our MTSU officials for their diligence in applying for these grants and know that it will be put to good use in preserving our county's heritage.”
 

###