Ricki Gardenhire
(502) 573-2382

           The Kentucky Department for Local Government is accepting applications for grants from the Kentucky Cemetery Preservation Fund.

The new Kentucky Cemetery Preservation Fund program has approximately $423,000 in this second funding cycle for maintenance, preservation and restoration activities.

Examples of maintenance activities include initial cleanup and landscaping, purchasing equipment, fencing, signage and improving interior roads. Preservation and restoration activities include acquiring conservation easements, surveying boundaries and repairing and cleaning tombstones.

Other activities that are eligible for funding are historic research, archiving, training to support cemetery preservation and improving access roads.

Counties may establish five-member county cemetery boards to apply for grants. State agencies, local governments, and certain nonprofit organizations – cemeteries, historical and genealogical groups, and local civic groups – also may apply. However, applications from county boards will receive funding priority.

The maximum grant that a group can receive is $25,000 and the minimum grant is $1,000, and a one-to-one local match is required.

A five-member state board will oversee the program and make funding decisions. The state board is chaired by the Commissioner of DLG and also represents the Kentucky Heritage Council, the Kentucky Historical Society, the Kentucky Association of Counties and the Kentucky African-American Heritage Commission.

Applications and instructions are available on the DLG web site at www.dlg.ky.gov. Click on “Downloads” for the grant application, checklist, and other information.

For additional information on establishing county cemetery boards, phone Lee Creech at (502) 573-2382. Applications will be due at DLG with a postmark of no later than March 31, 2004. Successful applicants will be notified on or about May 14, 2004.

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