If selected for a Preserve America designation, the city would receive White House and other recognitions, as well as eligibility to apply for Preserve America grants. Other benefits include road signs, authorization to use the official designation logo, listing in the program’s website, and inclusion in national and regional press releases, among others. High on the list of benefits is “enhanced community visibility and pride,” reported Margolin.Although the Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau also seeks the designation, it is “dependent on all member cities receiving prior designation.”The “Murals of Santa Paula are an appropriate illustration of Santa Paula’s commitment to preserving our cultural heritage and developing historic assets.” In addition the murals are also major tourism assets, Margolin noted, “which is a vital part of the city’s economic development program.”If successful, the city would be eligible for grants that, although not funding sources for brick-and-mortar projects, help local communities develop sustainable resource management strategies and sound business practices for the continued preservation and use of heritage assets. Not only is the designation “something that possibly can help us in getting grant money,” Councilman John Procter said it would also be “a feather in our cap” that would boost the city as a tourist destination.
Tourism: Council approves seeking Preserve America designation
August 22, 2008
Santa Paula City Council
A potential feather in the city’s cap was discussed at the August 18 City Council meeting, where the body approved the city seeking a Preserve America designation, which would open the door to eligibility for federal grants.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA potential feather in the city’s cap was discussed at the August 18 City Council meeting, where the body approved the city seeking a Preserve America designation, which would open the door to eligibility for federal grants. Santa Paula’s own claim to the designation is to be based on the city’s noted series of murals that reflect the city’s history, heritage and notable figures.The Preserve America designation, a federal initiative in cooperation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and a slew of other federal agencies, “encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our cultural and natural heritage,” according to Economic Development Specialist Rochelle Margolin’s report.The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation’s past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the country’s cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality or our communities.Major components of selection are recognizing and designating communities that protect and celebrate their heritage, use historic assets for economic development and community revitalization, and encourage people to experience and appreciate local historic resources though education and heritage tourism programs. More than 500 communities have received the designation, including Ventura and Santa Barbara.
