Certified Local Government Program

Local governments can invigorate their historic preservation activities by participating in the Certified Local Government (CLG) program. A National Park Service program enabled by the National Historic Preservation Act, the CLG program gives municipalities the option of strengthening local historic preservation activities through exclusive funding incentives and enhanced technical assistance.

In Pennsylvania, the CLG program is administered by the Pennsylvania and Historical Commission's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). To receive certification, local governments agree to expand their preservation programming by: enacting historic preservation ordinances and/or zoning; and by commenting on National Register of Historic Places nominations within their jurisdiction. CLGs also agree to provide a brief annual report on the municipality's preservation activities, provide training for local preservation review boards and/or commissions, and undertake or update historic resource surveys.

SHPO can assist local governments in applying for and achieving Certified Local Government status. After enrollment in the program, funding exclusive to CLGs becomes available and the SHPO can assist local governments in applying for and achieving Certified Local Government status. After enrollment in the program, funding exclusive to CLGs becomes available and the SHPO will provide enhanced technical assistance to the local government.

Requests for CLG Status

Requests for CLG status may be made by submitting the information outlined in the CLG Application Instructions. Before sending in the documentation, it is highly recommended that the local government contact and consult with the Community Preservation Coordinator in your region.

To learn about CLG grants and what activities are funded, please review the CLG Grant Program Guidelines.

Questions

If you have any questions regarding the CLG program and the application process contact:

Elizabeth Rairigh
717.705.4035
erairigh@pa.gov
or the Community Preservation Coordinator in your region.

Submission Notice

Please Note: By submitting materials with respect to state or federal historic preservation programs administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), you grant to the PHMC the rights to:

• use the materials for education and promotional purposes and to promote the mission of the PHMC;
• publish the materials on the PHMC Web site; and
• make the materials available to researchers and scholars.