WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Town of Cheraw was honored recently when First Lady Michelle Obama designated it as one of the nation's newest Preserve America Communities.

"President Obama and I want to congratulate all of the Preserve America Communities and thank them for their commitment to protecting and strengthening America's cultural and natural heritage," said First Lady Obama. On Oct. 7, 2009, Cheraw Mayor Scott Hunter received a letter and will receive a formal Certificate of Designation signed by First Lady Michelle Obama, announcing that Cheraw is now a Preserve America Community. Communities designated through the program receive national recognition for their accomplishments. Benefits include use of the "Preserve America" logo on educational and promotional materials; eligibility for Preserve America grants and a listing in the web-based directory that showcases Cheraw's preservation efforts and heritage tourism destinations. Many Preserve America Communities are featured in "Discover Our Shared Heritage" National Register Travel Itineraries, as well as in the "Teaching with Historic Places" curricular materials created by the National Park Service. The Preserve America program became an authorized part of the national historic preservation program when President Barack Obama signed the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 on March 30, 2009. More than 750 Preserve America Communities have been designated in all 50 states and one U.S. territory, including historic neighborhoods within large cities and tribal communities. The Town of Cheraw is now eligible to apply for Preserve America grants, which help communities develop sustainable resource management strategies, sound business practices for the continued preservation and use of heritage assets, and create related history-centered educational efforts.