Certified Local Government Program
The Certified Local Government (CLG) Program is a preservation partnership between local, state and national governments focused on promoting historic preservation at the grass roots level. The program is jointly administered by the National Park Service (NPS) and the State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) in each state, with each local community working through a certification process to become recognized as a Certified Local Government (CLG).
Grant funds are made available from the National Park Service through the State Historic Preservation Offices for Certified Local Governments to initiate and support historic preservation activities at the local level. CLGs then become an active partner in the Federal Historic Preservation Program and the opportunities it provides. Any municipality can become a CLG: a county, a township, a large city or small village, or a town.
By meeting a few simple but important standards, a community may receive financial aid and technical assistance that will enhance and promote historic neighborhoods and commercial districts. An active CLG program can become an important planning vehicle for community development by identifying specific preservation projects and applying for grants to carry out the projects. The SHPO provides guidance for all units of government to initiate and develop such programs.
Becoming a Certified Local Government
Becoming a CLG makes a community eligible to apply for subgrants available only to CLG communities. At least 10 percent of the annual Historic Preservation Fund grant made to Michigan under the National Historic Preservation Act must be distributed to the CLGs. Becoming a CLG ensures that historic preservation issues are understood and addressed at the local level and are integrated into the local planning and decision-making process at the earliest possible opportunity.
Learn MoreCertified Local Government Communities in Michigan
As of January 2019, thirty Michigan local governments have become CLGs.
Application Materials
For a complete summary how to become certified, refer to the Certified Local Goverment Program Certification Manual.
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