Gov. Andy Beshear announced that seven Certified Local Government (CLG) Program communities received $113,500 in federal grant funding to support projects focused on preservation efforts, including public education, documentation and community revitalization. Five NKY grants were among them.
“These investments help our communities protect the places that make our New Kentucky Home special while creating new opportunities for tourism and economic growth,” said Gov. Beshear. “Congratulations to all the recipients and thank you for your commitment to strengthening our communities.”
The federal funding is matched by local investments totaling $76,689. The CLG Program is a partnership among the National Park Service, the Kentucky Heritage Council and local governments to promote historic preservation.
Grant recipients from NKY for the 2026 federal fiscal year include:
• City of Newport – Public Workshop Federal grant $10,000.
Total project: $16,690. Funding will support hosting a public archive workshop focused on the Southgate Street School. The free workshop will engage community members who maintain historical records, photographs and artifacts, providing guidance on protecting and preserving these materials.
• City of Newport – CAMP training Federal grant: $3,541.
Total project: $6,900. The cities of Newport and Covington, in partnership with the Northern Kentucky Association of Realtors (NKAR), are receiving funding to host a Commission Assistance and Mentoring Program (CAMP) Workshop offered through the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions (NAPC) for local realtors.
• City of Covington – Northern Kentucky Restoration Weekend Federal grant $9,000.
Total project: $15,000. The City of Covington, in partnership with the City of Newport and Boone County, will utilize the funding to host the 16th Annual Northern Kentucky Restoration Weekend (NKYRW). This is a free educational event focused on preservation education for homeowners.
• City of Covington – Covington Academy of Heritage Trades Federal grant $8,976.
Total project: $14,960. Grant funding will support the hiring of instructors to train students at the Covington Academy of Heritage Trades (CAHT). Covington established CAHT to teach students the highly specialized skills needed to complete repairs and preservation work on historic properties.
• Boone County – Updating Documentation District Design Review Guidelines Federal grant: $6,000.
Total project: $10,000. Grant funding will support updating the Burlington Historic District Design Review Guidelines, which will serve as a template for developing design review guidelines across the county.
Other grants were awarded to
• City of Frankfort – Holmes Street Corridor Survey Federal grant: $22,500
• City of Frankfort – 2027 Historic Preservation Conference Federal grant: $5,000
• City of Hopkinsville – Survey of Historic Districts Federal grant $22,500
• City of Paducah – Survey and National Register of Historic Places Nomination Federal grant $18,000, and
• City of LaGrange – Community Outreach Federal grant $7,983 |
Grant funding is allocated through the CLG Program, administered by the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office (KHC). Communities must meet specific criteria to become certified and remain eligible for annual grants.
City- and county-wide historic preservation commissions must earn CLG designation to qualify for the grants, made available through an annual allocation to KHC from the federal Historic Preservation Fund and jointly administered by the National Park Service (NPS). Grant awards require a local match of at least 40 percent. For the fiscal year 2026 cycle, adding the $76,689 in local matches with the grant awards brings the total investment in these seven communities to $190,189. CLG designation offers a way for local governments to develop a comprehensive approach to historic preservation and promote the integration of preservation interests into the planning process. To qualify, local governments must meet five broad standards, including enacting a historic preservation ordinance and appointing a qualified preservation commission or architectural review board. In addition to grant eligibility, CLG benefits include access to technical assistance from both KHC and NPS.
Kentucky currently has 24 designated CLGs. Grants recommended for funding in the current cycle were approved by the KHC board in April, and projects must be completed by Aug. 1, 2027. Funded projects and qualified professionals engaged in training must adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards and Guidelines for Rehabilitation.
For information about becoming a CLG, contact Nicole Roth, site identification program administrator, at 502-892-3606, or visit Heritage.Ky.Gov.