The Historic Preservation Certified Local Government (CLG) Grants, administered by the New Jersey Historic Preservation Office in partnership with the National Park Service, provide funding to support local historic preservation efforts. These grants are designed to foster broad participation of local governments in the national historic preservation program while maintaining the standards outlined in the National Historic Preservation Act. The program aims to enrich and develop local historic preservation programs in coordination with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).

One of the key objectives of the program is to identify buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts of historical, architectural, archaeological, and engineering significance that meet the criteria for inclusion in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. This identification ensures that historically significant properties are recognized, documented, and potentially protected through preservation measures.

Additionally, the grant funds support the development and implementation of planning tools that help municipalities protect and maintain historic resources. This includes activities such as historic resource surveys, preservation planning, and regulatory measures designed to safeguard the historical integrity of a community.

To be eligible for funding, municipalities must hold Certified Local Government (CLG) status, which requires compliance with both state and federal preservation regulations. The certification process ensures that participating communities have an active historic preservation commission and adopt preservation guidelines aligned with the National Park Service’s standards.

The selection process for grant awards is competitive, with applications evaluated based on technical completeness, adherence to funding priorities, and potential impact on historic preservation. A panel of historic preservation professionals reviews the applications and makes recommendations to the Assistant Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for final approval.