From staff reports

WASHINGTON - In a ceremony on Capitol Hill July 12, Laura Bush, First Lady of the United States and Honorary Chair of Preserve America, announced that the Town of Chesterfield is a recipient of one of the first 43 Preserve America Grants for 2007. Chesterfield's "Historic Chesterfield Marketing Project" received a grant of $27,000. Chesterfield, one of only five SC communities to achieve Preserve America designation, is the first community in the state to receive a Preserve America grant.

Mrs. Bush presented the grant award to Chesterfield Mayor John Douglas at the July 12 event held in the Caucus Room of the Cannon House Office Building. Douglas' wife, Natalie, and sons, Campbell and Will, were also in attendance. The event was hosted by the Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus, whose co-chairs are Rep. Brad Miller of North Carolina and Rep. Michael Turner of Ohio. Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation John L. Nau, III accompanied Mrs. Bush at the event. The Department of the Interior and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation are two of the key federal agencies that partner with the White House on the Preserve America initiative.

The Historic Chesterfield Marketing Project will include the installation of "wayfinding" signage to direct visitors to key local sites, new signs for public buildings, historic district entrance signs and welcome signs as well as a new community brochure.

Mrs. Bush announced a total of nearly $2.6 million in grants and acknowledged 20 new Preserve America Communities that have brought the national total to 501 in all 50 states and one U.S. territory. Mrs. Bush commended the efforts of two important preservation initiatives by announcing the "Preserve America and Save America's Treasures Act."

"President Bush and I appreciate the broad, bipartisan support Congress has shown for both of these initiatives. This proposed act-the 'Preserve America and Save America's Treasures Act'-will improve our government's ability to protect America's historic places, objects, and collections for many years to come," Mrs. Bush said. "President Bush and I thank you for your interest in this important work."

Projects in a total of 25 states across the U.S. received Preserve America Grant funds. The grants provide funds on a matching basis to assist Preserve America Communities with marketing, planning, and educational efforts associated with protection and appropriate use of community heritage assets. A second round of 2007 grants totaling $2.4 million is expected to be announced in early autumn.

Preserve America is an interagency initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy the country's priceless cultural and natural heritage.