City of Linden receives Certified Local Government status to support historic preservation activities

Certification provides state and federal technical assistance, eligibility for historic preservation grants

 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) announced today that the city of Linden in Genesee County has been accepted to the Certified Local Government (CLG) program, following confirmation from the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

“We are pleased to welcome the city of Linden to the CLG program,” said State Historic Preservation Officer Mark A. Rodman. “Linden designated its first historic district in 1975, and entry into the CLG program demonstrates the city’s continued commitment to historic preservation. We look forward to working with the city to further its preservation goals.”

The Certified Local Government program is a partnership among local, state, and national governments focused on promoting historic preservation at the local level. The National Park Service administers the program in coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office. Certification makes the city of Linden eligible for specialized technical assistance and programming from the SHPO.

Participation in the CLG program also makes the community eligible for federal grants provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior and administered by the SHPO. These grants may be used for a variety of preservation activities, such as historic resource surveys, National Register of Historic Places nominations, educational and heritage tourism initiatives, pre-development plans and studies, and rehabilitation of certain historic properties.

“I thank city staff and the Historic District Commissioners for pursuing this opportunity to take our city’s historic preservation knowledge to the next level, to better serve our residents and businesses. It is an honor and we hope we have made our community proud,” said Linden City Manager Ellen Glass. “While we continue to grow, we hold on to our unique past and move onward with our history. 2021 has been year for the books for Linden, as we celebrated our Sesquicentennial milestone earlier this year. We could not think of a better way to round out the end of this year than attaining Certified Local Government status.”

First settled in 1835, Linden has a rich history rooted in the growth of the community following the arrival of the railroad and various industries, including various sawmills, buggy and barrel manufacturing, and foundry work. The Linden Mill, constructed in 1871, continued to operate until the 1950s. It was later purchased by the city and restored as a civic center.

Today, the mill is listed in both the State and National Register of Historic Places and stands as a reminder of the community’s history, supported by the efforts of local organizations such as the Linden Mills Historical Society. Through the CLG program, the community’s efforts to engage in historic preservation activities will be bolstered.

“We are grateful for the CLG program resources available, such as additional training opportunities for our Historic District Commissioners and the public, as well as potential prioritized funding outlets that will benefit our community as a whole,” Glass said.

Linden joins a growing network of more than 2,000 Certified Local Governments across the country, including 33 other Michigan communities. There is no cost to participate in the program, but communities must meet certain requirements. Participating communities must have a local historic district ordinance and appoint a historic district commission to review proposed work in locally designated historic districts. CLGs must also encourage public participation in the local historic preservation program and seek ways to identify, protect, and celebrate important historic resources in their community.

About the State Historic Preservation Office
Focused on the historic preservation of culturally or archaeologically significant sites throughout the state, Michigan's State Historic Preservation Office’s main function is to provide technical assistance to local communities and property owners in their efforts to identify, evaluate, designate, interpret and protect Michigan’s historic above- and below-ground resources. SHPO also administers an incentives program that includes federal tax credits and pass-through grants available to Certified Local Governments.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

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