Frederick County has recently announced the creation of the Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program that would provide grants up to $50,000 to individual land owners and non-profits for the restoration or rehabilitation of historically significant houses, barns, and sites in rural areas.
Smart Growth Maryland played an active role advocating for smart growth and preservation priorities to be included in Livable Frederick, and through our work leading the Smarter Growth Alliance of Frederick County, we helped to ensure that preserving the past is part of Frederick County’s future.
“The goal of these grants is to leave a legacy for future generations of a vibrant agricultural community and to preserve our rich history,” Executive Jan Gardner said. “As we preserve farmland through our ag preservation programs, it is equally important that we help keep agricultural operations profitable. These grants accomplish that goal. Frederick County has done an outstanding job preserving our rich history in our urban core. The Rural Preservation Grants will help us preserve our history in our rural areas, including historic bank barns, homes and
other structures.”
The Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program will offer grants of up to $50,000 to individual property owners and nonprofit organizations to stabilize, rehabilitate, restore or preserve the exterior of a historic property. To qualify, properties must be listed on the County Register of Historic Places or on the National Register of Historic Places, or be designated as a contributing resource in a historic district. A property also qualifies if the Maryland Historical Trust determines the site is eligible for National Register designation. Applications will be accepted once a year.
In an interview with the Frederick News-Post, County Executive Jan Gardner said each grant program would be allocated roughly $150,000, and annual funding could change depending on need. The funds come from money raised by the County Council’s decision to raise the recordation tax by $1 – from $6 to $7 for each $500 of consideration.