The Apalachicola city commission voted at its Sept 7, regular meeting to support the Chamber of Commerce efforts to have the City of Apalachicola designated a Preserve America community.Anita Groves, Executive Director for the Chamber told commissioners that the Preserve America designation dovetails into other historic preservation programs that the Chamber has been behind in the past.
In 2008, Grove and the Chamber were the driving force behind the effort that led to the city’s designation as one of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Preserve America is a U.S. government program, established under President George W. Bush, intended to encourage and support community efforts to preserve and enjoy the country's cultural and natural heritage.
As of July of this year, more than 843 communities, representing all 50 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands (a U.S. territory), have been designated as "Preserve America Communities”.
Designated communities become eligible to apply for Preserve America grants to enhance heritage tourism and the use of community historic and cultural sites.
Federal budget allocations for Preserve America grants totaled approximately $5 million in fiscal year 2007 and $7.5 million in fiscal year 2008.
Designated communities also receive White House recognition, a certificate of recognition, a Preserve America Community road sign, listing in the Preserve America Community directory on the program's website, authorization to use the Preserve America logo, inclusion in national and regional press releases, and official notification of the designation to state tourism offices and visitors bureaus.
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