Lighthouse Grant.
We just recently heard the announcement on National Public Radio that Beaver Island Light Station received a $150,000 "SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES" grant from the Department of Interior/National Park Service/National Endowment for the Arts, Humanities, et.al. Senator Levin's office sent the announcement to the Petoskey News. Harold Chase in the Senator's office stated that "we should be very excited to receive a 'Save Americas Treasures' grant…the process is very, very, competitive." We were also listed on the net site of the National Endowment for the Arts as a grant recipient from Michigan. So I guess it is official.
We didn't get as much as we asked for, but it was a significant amount, and we are very pleased. That brings our total up to about $500,000 for the restoration work and architectural fees.
Thanks to all who wrote letters of support including, Senator Levin, Representative Stupak, Paul Connors and Bill Cashman (Beaver Island Historical Society), and Brian Conway of the State Historic Preservation Office. The State Historic Preservation Office letter put us in the running for the grant, and we would not have been considered without it. So a special tip of the hat to Mr. Conway and his office. The grant application was submitted by Diekema/Hamann Architecture on behalf of Charlevoix Public Schools (owner of the site) and Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District/Michigan Works! Division (manager of on-site youth programs.)
While the Senate and House Appropriations committees approve the funds for these grants, the National Park Service in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts administers them. The National Park Service in Washington received our application in April.
A national committee reviewed competing grant applications in June.
Recent Grants for Lighthouse Restoration included $10,000 from the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program (State of Michigan, Dept. of State), which paid for an architect to complete a Historic Structures Report; $257,813 from the Clean Michigan Initiative--Waterfront Redevelopment Program (the Department of Environmental Quality/DEQ) for restoration work; and this $150,000 Save America's Treasures for Restoration and Fire Suppression. Work continues as we apply for additional funding.
Again, thank you everyone, and I'll keep you updated as things progress!
– John Freeman
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