Historic buildings in rural communities may get an infusion of cash after the National Park Service (NPS) announced the recipients of $7.27 million in Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants. 

The grants, which support the preservation of historic buildings, will be awarded to 11 recipients in 10 states, according to the NPS. Congress provides funding for the program via the Historic Preservation Fund, the NPS noted. 

“This National Park Service program not only supports historic preservation, but also fosters economic development in rural communities,” NPS Deputy Director Shawn Benge said. “By funding the rehabilitation of historic properties, rural areas across the country will be improved and strengthened."

One of the recipients is Preservation, Texas, which received $750,000 for its Texas Rural African-American Heritage Grants program.  Preservation Texas Executive Director Evan Thompson told Corridor News the financial support would help historic buildings that have fallen into disrepair. 

“We have designed the Texas Rural African-American Heritage Grants program to support some of the most endangered buildings in our state,” Thompson said. 

According to Corridor News, the NPS has some requirements with the finding, including projects be located in rural communities with a population that does not exceed 50,000. The buildings also must be listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the time the work is completed in September 2024, according to the news site. 

“This funding will be transformative, providing up to $75,000 per project to stabilize, rehabilitate, and restore at least 10 endangered rural buildings associated with Black history, from the Civil War through the modern Civil Rights era,” Thompson said. 

According to the NPS, the Historic Preservation Fund was established in 1977, and is authorized at $150 million each year with funding coming from outer continental shelf oil lease revenues.