Montana Lawmakers and MPA Receive National Award
MPA and Montana legislators from both sides of the aisle joined forces again in October, this time in Austin, Texas, to accept a major award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Trust presented its Preservation Honor Award to the Montana Legislature House Appropriations Committee, Montana Legislature Senate Finance and Claims Committee, Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, and MPA for their outstanding efforts to direct $4 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to historic preservation projects across Montana. The recipients were honored on October 29th during the 2010 National Preservation Conference.
When Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act last year, MPA saw a golden opportunity for the Treasure State. The effort began when the Alliance distributed a lengthy list of “hammer-ready” projects across the state. The Montana Legislature’s Appropriations and Finance Committee leaders recognized that funding these projects had great potential for creating jobs and revitalizing communities – and they took decisive bipartisan action. After a marathon round of meetings and amendments, visionary lawmakers set aside $4 million in stimulus funds to establish Montana’s first-ever competitive large scale Historic Preservation Grants program for preservation and rehabilitation of outstanding historic properties.
For the first time, local, state and tribal governments, non-profits and private owners across Montana could apply for up to $250,000 in state funds to repair, stabilize and rehabilitate historic properties. As expected, local response was enthusiastic, with more than $20 million in grant applications pouring in from cities, towns and rural areas in every corner of the state.
Substantial funding was awarded to three of Montana’s most significant properties: the Daly Mansion near Hamilton; St. Mary’s Mission in Stevensville; and Traveler’s Rest at Lolo. In addition, 53 additional rehabilitation projects were awarded grants and are in the works.
“Good stewardship of the past can help create jobs, revitalize communities and boost tourism,” said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. “Montana—the only state in the nation to set aside stimulus funds for historic preservation projects—is setting an example for lawmakers across the country.”
Rep. Jon Sesso and Rep. Cynthia Hiner, Chair and Vice-Chair of the Montana Legislature House Appropriations Committee; Senator Dave Lewis and Senator Robert Hawks, Montana Legislature Senate Finance and Claims Committee; and MPA director Chere Jiusto were delighted to accept the award.
The National Preservation Awards are bestowed on distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through preservation of our architectural and cultural heritage. The winners of the National Preservation Awards will appear in the November/December issue of Preservation Magazine and online at www.PreservationNation.org/awards.
