Heritage Areas System Grant Programs

Applications
Separate application packages are available for funding, depending on the type of project proposed. The Heritage Areas System application is to be used for projects to preserve, rehabilitate or restore lands, waters or structures, identified in a management plan approved by the Commissioner in accordance with section 35.05 of the Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Law, for use by all segments of the population for park, recreation or conservation purposes. To be eligible under this program, a project must fall within a NYS Designated Heritage Areas.

Funding Priorities
Each year the Commissioner establishes program priorities for which projects will receive additional points.

Rating Criteria
The Priority Evaluation Form is based on the following rating criteria:

1. the degree to which the project contributes to the preservation, restoration or enhancement of natural, historic or cultural resources related to the interpretive theme(s) in the local heritage area's approved management plan
2. the degree to which the project enhances the function and visual quality of the local heritage area
3. the impact of the facility on the local economy or its contribution to established economic development plans
4. the relationship of the project to a local, regional and/or statewide planning document or other assessment of need
5. the degree to which the project will primarily serve either a densely populated area or an area where a substantial proportion of the population is of low income or otherwise disadvantaged or underserved
6. the degree to which the project directly serves or benefits heritage area visitors and users
7. the applicant's ability to initiate and complete the project on a timely basis, at a reasonable cost, and operate or maintain the project annual programmatic and funding priorities
8. annual programmatic and funding priorities

Among the rating criteria, the Commissioner may award any of the following factors up to ten points for a maximum of ten points. All applications will be reviewed for the relevance of these to the project scope:

1. the geographic distribution of other fundable projects in any given application cycle;
   consideration will be given to projects in areas that have or have not received funding in recent cycles or where funding is not commensurate with the population of the area. This will be based on the proximity to other funded sites and the diversity of projects being funded on a regional and local basis, as well as the service area of the developed or planned facilities.
2. the extent to which the project will maximize the use and accessibility of a facility;
   consideration will be given to projects where funding will allow underutilized facilities to be accessed or to develop underutilized resources for public use. This will be based on the resources within a facility, the use of those resources and whether the proposed project will help the facility approach its carrying capacity or increase its carrying capacity to allow greater public use.
3. special engineering, environmental and historic preservation concerns or benefits;
   consideration will be given to develop unique resources and facilities or to develop innovative approaches to the care of valuable resources. This will be based on the type of resource being developed or rehabilitated; its uniqueness on a local, regional, statewide and national basis; the ability of an innovative technology to address an emergency or mitigate future problems; how well a technology can be "exported" for use on other properties and resources; and how/if the project will allow a visitor experience that would not otherwise be available.
4. the past performance, if any, of the project sponsor on previous projects, including its compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity and Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise programs;
   consideration will be given to how timely an applicant completed previous projects, including its reporting requirements; how successful it was in outreach, especially to minority- and woman-owned firms; the upkeep and maintenance of the property; and its cooperation in allowing OPRHP to complete inspections and other follow-up actions.

Applications will be reviewed, rated and awarded as ranked on a regional basis.

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