Certified Local Government Program
The Certified
Local Government (CLG) program is a partnership between municipal governments, the
Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (PA SHPO), and the National
Park Service (NPS) that promotes and supports effective historic preservation
programs and policies in Pennsylvania municipalities. Designation is a mark of
distinction that provides participating communities with credibility, as well
as access to technical assistance and grant programs; it means that the
municipality follows best practices and views preservation as an integral part
of its community and economic development.
The CLG Program in
Pennsylvania
The CLG program in
Pennsylvania recognizes the unique characteristics of the Commonwealth’s
communities while promoting technical, legal, and procedural best practices
that are common to all participating communities. The CLG program in Pennsylvania:
Establishes standards and distributes guidance for best practices in municipal historic preservation programs;
Engages CLGs in implementing State and Federal historic preservation programs;
Provides technical and financial support for projects that increase local capacity and implement best practices related to historic resources;
Facilitates networking and the exchange of ideas among CLGs; and
Facilitates training opportunities for municipal leaders.
Benefits to Being a
CLG
The CLG program provides
exclusive benefits to participating communities, including a dedicated grant
program, specialized technical assistance, and participation in the National
Register of Historic Places nomination process.
Beyond
the tangible benefits, being a CLG also provides credibility and distinction to
a community’s preservation programs. The
certification requirements and performance standards are intended to provide
residents, property owners, elected officials, and other stakeholders with
confidence that the community is following best practices while meeting its
legal and ethical obligations.
There
are currently 50 CLGs throughout Pennsylvania.
Contact
the Community
Preservation Coordinator for your region for more information about the CLG program.