Application Deadline Nears for Recovery Act Grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Monday, May 11, 2009 | 05:30am

Grants will Help Preserve Historic Sites on Campus

NASHVILLE - As part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009, the National Park Service is awarding grants of up to $2.5 million to preserve the buildings and infrastructure of historically black colleges and universities. The goal of this program is to make historic properties on these campuses safe and useable.

“These Recovery Act grants provide an opportunity to preserve our state’s diverse cultural heritage by restoring and protecting valuable historic resources for future generations,” said Bredesen. “I hope Tennessee’s historically black colleges and universities will take advantage of this opportunity to submit projects on their campuses for consideration.”

Tennessee’s historically black colleges and universities include Fisk University, Meharry Medical College and Tennessee State University in Nashville, Knoxville College, Lane College in Jackson, and Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis.

Eligible projects include structural stabilization; masonry work; abating environmental hazards; installing or replacing heating, ventilating and cooling systems; replacing damaged electrical and plumbing systems; repairing leaking roofs; treating termite damage; and modifying structures to make them ADA compliant.

All work conducted must be performed in accordance with the Federal Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.The deadline for submitting grant applications is June 3, 2009. Grant applications and guidance can be found at http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/hpg/hbcu/index.htm.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 will speed economic recovery, create and save jobs, and provided needed services to Tennesseans. For more information, visit www.tnrecovery.gov or www.recovery.gov.

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