HARRISON, AR. - The City of Harrison has reached a significant milestone by becoming the 22nd Certified Local Government (CLG) community in Arkansas. This announcement, made by the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program (AHPP) on May 8, marks the city's entry into a prestigious partnership between federal, state, and local governments.
Established by Congress in 1980, the CLG program currently includes roughly 2,000 communities across the United States. Its primary goal is to help towns protect their unique cultural and historic resources while simultaneously encouraging economic growth.
By achieving this status, Harrison gains access to exclusive federal grant funding, professional training, and technical assistance provided by the AHPP. This support will be instrumental in maintaining the Harrison Courthouse Square Historic District, which stands as the city's cultural heart and houses several important local landmarks.
The push for certification began in 2024 under the guidance of Mayor Jerry Jackson and other senior city officials. To qualify, Harrison established a historic district commission and evaluated the potential for a locally regulated historic district. This effort involved close collaboration between city leadership, downtown business owners, Main Street Harrison, and state preservation experts before the final application was submitted to the National Park Service in April.
Scott Kaufman, Director of the AHPP, expressed his enthusiasm for Harrison's inclusion in the program. He noted that the CLG initiative has a strong history of promoting both preservation and economic development for municipalities nationwide. Kaufman expects Harrison to thrive and benefit greatly from the opportunities this designation provides.
Communities interested in pursuing this certification are encouraged to reach out to the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program for more information.
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