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A MOTION supporting the application for, and administration of, a grant from the federal Preserve America program for a heritage trails project, promoting heritage tourism and expanding economic development opportunities.
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WHEREAS, King County was designated as a Preserve America community in February 2006 by the federal Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, and
WHEREAS, the King County historic preservation program was established in 1980 to ensure that the historic and cultural resources that best reflect the region's eleven thousand years of human history are preserved for future generations, and
WHEREAS, 4Culture is King County's cultural services agency, providing assistance to organizations, agencies and individuals working to celebrate historic places in the community through preservation-based tourism and economic development initiatives, and
WHEREAS, the Preserve America program, administered by the Department of the Interior's National Park Service in partnership with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, seeks to help citizens and visitors alike gain greater shared knowledge about the nation's past, strengthen regional identities and local pride, increase local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets and support for the economic vitality of our communities, and
WHEREAS, the Preserve America grant program offers competitive grants to support preservation efforts through heritage tourism, education and historic preservation planning, and
WHEREAS, the King County historic preservation program and 4Culture propose to collaborate on a heritage trails project to promote heritage tourism and expand economic development opportunities, particularly in King County's rural areas, and
WHEREAS, the proposed project is consistent with King County's Comprehensive Plan as well as Washington State's Historic Preservation Plan, and
WHEREAS, the proposed project respects the rights of private property owners and supports the preservation of King County's historic resources and cultural assets, including numerous buildings, sites and districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the King County Landmarks Register through collaboration with property owners and community organizations, and
WHEREAS, local government entities must include in their grant submittal packages a resolution of support from their governing council showing their willingness to accept the Preserve America funding if awarded and demonstrating their commitment to the project;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
The council supports the collaborative efforts of the King County historic preservation program and 4Culture to seek and administer a grant from the Preserve America program in support of the heritage trails project to promote heritage tourism and expand economic development opportunities, particularly in King County's rural areas.