Application to become a Certified Local Government

Louisiana- Division of Historic Preservation

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Downtown Hammond

The Certified Local Government (CLG) Program is a local, state and federal partnership that provides technical assistance and small grants to local governments who are seeking to preserve their architectural and cultural heritage for future generations. Established by the National Historic Preservation Amendment Act of 1980, the program has assisted more that 1100 cities across the US, including 38 towns and cities in Louisiana.

In Louisiana, becoming a CLG makes a community eligible to apply for the Louisiana Main Street Program, and for Certified Local Government Historic Preservation Planning Grants. The Division of Historic Preservation also provides technical assistance such as Historic District Commission Training and statewide community design workshops.

To become a CLG, a community must meet the following five eligibility requirements:

  1. Enforce appropriate state or local legislation for the designation and protection of historic properties.
  2. Establish an adequate and qualified historic preservation review commission by local legislation.
  3. Maintain a system of survey and inventory of historic properties.
    Provide for adequate public participation in the local historic preservation program, including the process of recommending properties to the National Register.
  4. Satisfactorily perform the responsibilities delegated under the National Historic Preservation Amendments Act of 1980.
  5. Satisfactorily perform the resposibilities delegated to it under the Act.

    Each state is required to see that certified local governments satisfy these minimum requirements and may specify additional requirements.

    Application to become a Certified Local Government

 

Funding

CLG Historic Preservation Planning Grants are reimbursable, 50/50 (cash) matching grants. Project work may only begin after the grant is awarded and a funding agreement with the Division of Historic Preservation is signed. The recipient pays for all costs up-front. Grant funds are reimbursed for 50 percent of the costs, up to the grant amount. Grants generally range from $1,500 to $20,000.

Standards

All work is reviewed by the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation and must meet the Secretary of Interior Standards for Historic Preservation Projects.

 

Who needs Certified Local Government Training?

Every person who sits on a historic district commission or board is required to attend at least one training class per year.

Training topics include historic styles of architecture, commercial architecture, residential architecture, fire and life safety codes and applications, building materials and processes, Secretary of the Interior Standards for Rehabilitation, Restoration and New Construction in historic districts, tax credits, and more.


GRANTS

Each year a portion of state and federal appropriation for historic preservation is passed to Certified Local Governments in the form of matching grants. These grants fund local preservation activities in communities that have preservation ordinances. In an effort to encourage further preservation planning and build partnerships between state and local preservation organizations, the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation has created a pilot project to award preservation planning grants to Certified Local governments on a competitive basis.

Eligible Projects

    • Developing design guidelines for historic districts
    • Municipal Historic Resource Inventory Surveys
    • Feasibility studies on single historic buildings or groups of historic buildings
    • Conditions assessments and historic structures reports
    • Public information projects relative to historic preservation
    • Education projects relative to historic preservation
    • Historic preservation training programs for officials and local citizens

Eligible Applicants

Certified Local Governments (CLGs) are the only eligible applicants for CLG Historic Preservation Planning Grants; however, CLGs can apply on behalf of individuals or organizations. Timeframe: Historic Preservation Planning Grants are awarded by a competitive application and ranking process.


If you would like more information or have a project for which you need assistance, please contact:

Valerie Gaumont
Certified Local Government Coordinator
Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation
Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism
1051 North Third Street
P O Box 44247
Tele:(225) 342-9771/ Fax: (225) 219-9772
www.louisianahp.org
vgaumont@crt.state.la.us
 
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