Congress is still negotiating a potential year-end Omnibus appropriations bill for FY 2023. Lawmakers have yet to reach agreement on top-line funding numbers, with disagreements continuing over domestic spending priorities. The Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and the Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. Rose DeLauro (D-CT) announced they plan to release their version of an Omnibus appropriations bill on Monday, which they think could garner enough Republican support to pass. We are currently operating under a Continuing Resolution that is set to expire next Friday on Dec. 16th. If lawmakers fail reach an agreement on a year-end spending bill, they could pass another CR, which would continue current funding levels, or face a government shutdown.

Last week Preservation Action joined several preservation partners in sending a letter to Senate and House appropriators urging support of $191 million for the Historic Preservation Fund, the same level outlined in the Senate Chairman's markup, to include as part of a year-end omnibus bill. This funding would include much needed increases for State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices and important grant programs, many of which that are helping to tell a more diverse American story.

Preservation Action will follow the appropriations process as the current Congress comes to a close and continue to urge Congress to support robust funding for historic preservation priorities.

Urgent action is needed to advance the National Heritage Area Act of 2021 (S. 1942, H.R. 1316). This important bill would create a much-needed uniform system to reauthorize National Heritage Areas, allocate standard funding, and provide universal standards to how current and future National Heritage Areas (NHAs) are managed and designated. This bill would reauthorize and provide certainty for the 55 current NHAs, including reauthorizing 30 NHAs that are in immediate need and establish 5 new ones. NHAs produce nearly $13 billion in annual economic impact and every dollar in federal funding is matched by an average of $5.50 from other funding sources.

The National Heritage Area Act was advanced by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee with strong, bipartisan support and was added to the Senate Calendar for the current legislative session. This does not mean the Senate will get to it and time is running out, as Congress needs to take action before the end of the year.

Take action! Urge your Representative and Senators to support the National Heritage Area Act and include it as part of any omnibus package. Check out the Alliance of National Heritage Areas to learn more about National Heritage Areas and this important bill.

The National Park Service is currently accepting applications for $10 million in funding for the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization sub-grant program. Funded through the Historic Preservation Fund, these grants support sub-grant programs that enable the rehabilitation of historic properties and rehabilitate, protect, and foster economic development of rural communities. The program was established in 2018 and has supported projects across the country. The most recent round of funding supported the rehabilitation of historic theaters in rural communities across Idaho and historic revitalization projects in Alabama's black belt, just to name a few. Applications are due by Feb. 22nd. Learn more and apply today!

Additional Available HPF Grants

The National Park Service is also currently accepting applications for $26.5 million in Save America's Treasures grants, which helps preserve nationally significant historic properties and collections and are due Dec. 20th. Applications are also being accepted for $10 million in grants for the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Preservation Grant program, which supports preservation work on HBCU campuses and are due Jan. 10th.

Learn more about these current funding opportunities!

National Park Service: "The National Park Service Announces Entrance Fee-Free Days for 2023"

Maryland: "State of Maryland Announces Awards for 376 Businesses to Revitalize Downtowns and Main Streets"

Texas: "Preservation Texas Announces 2022 Most Endangered Places List"

Georgia: "Historic Preservation Grant Applications Now Open for Certified Local Governments"