TEXARKANA, Ark. - Miller County Courthouse and two sites in Nevada County will receive Arkansas Historic Preservation Program grants.
Miller County officials will receive $216,653 for phase two of the courthouse's roof work.
County Judge Cathy Hardin Harrison said she is excited about receiving the money to continue the roof work.
The roof for the courthouse's fifth, or top floor, makes up phase two, she said.
Hardin Harrison is hoping to have the phase two roofing project out for bid and work started by late summer.
The fifth floor currently is currently used for storage but was used as the jail for several years.
This year, more than $1,67 million in grant funding was given out to 16 of the state's courthouses and Miller County's received the second highest award amount.
Hardin Harrison said work on phase one of the roofing project is wrapping up. That phase included the third floor, which had major leaks. The space on that floor includes a courtroom and offices. The phase one work cost about $240,000, she said.
The Courthouse Restoration Grant is an annual grant that has been in existence since 1988.
It is funded primarily by an annual grant to the AHPP by the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Council using Real Estate Transfer Tax funds.
The purpose of the County Courthouse Restoration Grant program is to encourage and promote the preservation and continued use of Arkansas' historic courthouses by providing financial assistance for restoration, selected maintenance and accessibility projects.
"The work of preserving historic structures across Arkansas is a duty we take seriously at Arkansas Heritage," said Jimmy Bryant, Arkansas Heritage director. Arkansas Historic Preservation Program is an agency of Arkansas Heritage.
"I admire and appreciate the work from the applicants, their committees and teams of experts, and our grant selection committee. Every year we not only look forward to awarding this money but seeing the progress photos and reports that come into our office. The real winners in all of this are the citizens of our state," he said.
Nevada County
Two projects in Nevada County also received Historic Preservation and Restoration grants.
The projects and award amounts are:
Emmet United Methodist Church, roof replacement, $37,775
Moscow, Nevada County Depot and Museum, monument restoration- Moscow Cemetery, $8,052
The purpose of the Historic Preservation and Restoration Grant program is to encourage and promote preservation of Arkansas' historic resources by providing financial assistance for restoration of historic properties. The program is financed through proceeds of the Real Estate Transfer Tax.
This year, $796,460 in grant funding was given out to 22 applicants. The amount of funding fluctuates each year depending on the taxes collected.