The Certified Local Government Program fosters a commitment to preservation at the local level and is a critical component of preserving and increasing awareness of Iowa’s unique cultural heritage. Active participation in the Certified Local Government Program establishes a robust partnership between local, state, and federal governments to help communities save irreplaceable historic character.
Through the certification process, local governments make a commitment to historic preservation by passing local legislation and establishing a historic preservation commission. The commission advises the local elected officials on matters related to historic preservation and undertakes special projects in the community.
Some use Certified Local Government status to support the revitalization and stabilization of historic downtowns and neighborhoods. Other communities work to preserve individual historic buildings. While other communities develop heritage tourism programs based on historic resources unique to their community.
Benefits
Active participation in the Certified Local Government Program makes your community eligible for funding, training, technical assistance and provides access to a supportive network of other preservation-minded communities.
Grants
Iowa receives an annual appropriation from the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service through the Historic Preservation Fund. Each year, by law 10% of those federal funds are available only to Certified Local Governments in the form of pass-through grants. In Iowa Certified Local Governments also qualify for Historical Resource Development Program grants.
Training and Technical Assistance
Certified Local Governments are eligible for historic preservation training and technical assistance from the State Historic Preservation Office of Iowa.
Historic Preservation Network
Iowa is proud to have one of the largest Certified Local Government programs in the country. Join more than 90 other communities that embrace historic preservation as an effective tool for revitalizing, preserving and increasing awareness of their unique cultural heritage.
Before you Apply
If your community has an established and effective historic preservation program, applying to participate in the Certified Local Government program can help boost your preservation plans and funding. To be eligible to apply, the local government will need to meet the following requirements:
- Have a process in place for identifying, evaluating, and recognizing historic properties. This is an essential step in determining what properties should be preserved and providing evidence of the significance.
- Have an on-going process for managing and protecting historic properties by planning and considering historic preservation in land use, public improvement and development decisions.
- Have an educational component to ensure citizens, property owners and local officials are knowledgeable about the program. This includes the role of preservation in the community, good preservation practice, and the tools available to facilitate historic preservation at the local level.
To learn more and get started, review the Certified Local Government Program Guide and the CLG List of Communities, Contacts and Roles
How to Apply
Active participants in the Certified Local Government Program are eligible for funding, training, technical assistance and access to a supportive network of other preservation-minded communities.
Under the Certified Local Government Agreement, the local government is responsible for fulfilling the terms of the agreement. A local government must provide ongoing support for the program and the historic preservation commission. This support includes assigning a staff member to the commission. The staff member sees that the commission gets clerical assistance, prepares an annual budget and coordinates with other local commissions and agencies. In addition, the commission will need a meeting space and centralized storage space for commission files.
The local government also provides financial support for the historic preservation program and commission. This includes a budget for office supplies, postage, telephone, printing, and photography and annual training. While grant programs help local governments defray the expense of historic preservation activities, all require a local commitment in the form of cash and/or in-kind match. The local government is the official applicant for the grant and provides the required match.
Please contact SHPO for information about how to become a Certified Local Government.
Program Requirements
- Your local government will set up a local historic preservation program that is consistent with the Certified Local Government Program requirements.
- The local government applies to the Certified Local Government Program.
- The application is reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office to ensure it is complete.
- Once the application is complete, the local government and the State Historic Preservation Office sign a formal agreement.
- The application packet is sent to the National Park Service for review and approval.
Maintain Your Status
To maintain the local government’s Certified Local Government status, the historic preservation commission must meet a minimum of three times each calendar year, comply with Iowa’s open meeting law, participate in state-sponsored or approved annual training, and demonstrate a level of preservation activity.
The historic preservation commission is typically an advisory committee to local elected officials, city or county staff and commissions, and property owners. The historic preservation commission alerts and advises on the appropriate course of action to take regarding the management and preservation of historic properties. The commission, in coordination with the local government, also initiates special projects including survey work, National Register of Historic Places nominations and educational programming. In addition, the historic preservation commission keeps the local government, city and county on track to fulfill its Certified Local Government agreement.
The commission, with approval from the local elected officials, may take on additional responsibilities including local landmarking and design review.
Review the Certified Local Government Program Guide for detailed information on maintaining your status.
Annual Report
The Certified Local Government is responsible for submitting an annual report documenting its preservation activities, meetings, annual training and commissioners’ information.
Active participants of the Certified Local Government Program are exclusively eligible for CLG grants. Certified Local Governments also qualify for Historical Resource Development Program grants.