Citizens of Chesterfield heard from the White House last week when first lady Laura Bush sent personal congratulations to the town for being designated as one of the 317 Preserve America Communities across the nation.

“This designation is quite an honor for our community,” Chesterfield Mayor John Douglas said. “Being recognized as one of the elite Preserve America communities should prove helpful as we pursue funding opportunities for the old courthouse restoration and other future projects.”

Preserve America communities are eligible for 50/50 grants from the federal government. Individual grants would range from $20,000 to $150,000.

This year Congress approved up to $5 million for Preserve America grants in the 2006 U.S. Department of the Interior appropriations bill.

Douglas said this first year of funding opens the door to those specific grants and as well as other grants that become available by being a designated community.

Bush, who is honorary chair of Preserve America, applauded the town saying, “The preservation and enjoyment of your historical and cultural resources celebrate an important part of our nation's heritage. You honor our nation's past and inspire and educate for the future.”

Preserve America was developed in cooperation with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and the U.S. Departments of Interior, Commerce, Agriculture, and Housing and Urban Development. It is granted to communities that meet three general criteria: