Historic Sites and Projects May Qualify for NJ Grants

The Southern Ocean Chamber is comprised of many local art and history organizations that bring tremendous benefit to the quality of life for residents and visitors. They also have a significant economic impact, as released in a recent study by the NJ Historic Trust.  According to the findings, heritage tourism generated a total GDP impact of $3.0 billion in 2019, representing more than 7% of the GDP impact of the entire New Jersey tourism industry. In addition to generating significant GDP impacts, heritage tourism generated nearly $358 million in total state and local taxes in 2019. Ocean County is home to 54 New Jersey Heritage sites.  The state has announced grant and loan programs that may be of assistance to local organizations and municipalities looking to create plans or preserve historical assets. 

The Preserve New Jersey Historic Preservation Fund was established by legislation in 2016 to provide an annual source of matching grants from the state’s corporate business tax for historic preservation projects. The Preserve New Jersey Fund continues the work of the Garden State Historic Preservation Trust Fund and the Historic Preservation Bond Program. Since 1990, more than $145 million in matching grants has been awarded to worthy historic preservation construction and planning projects throughout the state.  Local sites and groups can take part in the upcoming grant rounds from Capital grants, Historic Site Management Grants, Municipal, County and Regional Planning grants and Heritage Tourism Grants. 

The New Jersey Council for the Humanities is now accepting applications for Community History 2024.  Program participants receive instruction on public history practices, develop projects in a collaborative environment, and receive funding from NJCH to launch projects in their communities.  Organizations do not need to be history-based groups or have a dedicated staff member. The application deadline for Community History Cohort 2024 is January 17, 2024.

To learn more about past projects, funded sites that include Southern Ocean County treasures Beach Haven Historic District, Barnegat Lighthouse, Cedar Bridge Tavern, The Cox House and The Old Manahawkin Baptist Church, and other resources, visit the NJ Historic trust  website. To find out more on the 110 year Southern Ocean Chamber, please go to  visitLBiregion.com