Rural Heritage Partnership Program (Michigan)

Rural Heritage Partnership Program (Michigan) is sponsored by Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). This program provides funding to eligible applicants to complete repairs and improvements to qualified historic buildings in small, rural communities statewide.

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Grant Administration Manual Rural Heritage Partnership Grant Program Historic Preservation Programs and Services Rural Heritage Partnership Grant Program The Rural Heritage Partnership Grant Program is a competitive grant program intended to support long-term investment in the irreplaceable heritage assets of Michigan’s small, rural communities.

The program is supported through a one-time grant from the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants Program , established under the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service .

Program funding is specifically for building rehabilitation (i.e., “bricks and mortar”) projects and associated pre-development (e.g., plans and specifications) work in small, rural communities throughout Michigan (see below for specific definitions). Local units of government, non-profits, and public entities are eligible to apply for funding.

Eligible entities may also sponsor a project on behalf of a private property or business owner, so long as the project meets grant program eligibility. The program places a particular focus on economic impact and projects that positively contribute to the economic, social, and/or cultural life of a community and promote reinvestment in historic properties.

Economic impact can mean different things depending on the property and the community.

Examples include but are not limited to: Creation of new permanent jobs Preparing buildings for new businesses, enhancement of existing businesses, or diversification of businesses Creation of upper-story (market rate or affordable) housing units in mixed-use properties Activation of underutilized space Returning a vacant or dilapidated structure to active use Stabilizing a building or eliminating blight that detracts from community character New or expanded heritage tourism opportunities Rehabilitation of a community anchor (e.g., community theater or library) that brings people downtown Preservation of critical service buildings (e.g., village or township halls) THE APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSED JUNE 8, 2026.

At this time, no new rounds of Rural Heritage Partnership Program grant funding are expected. All questions regarding the program should be directed to Alan Higgins, Grants Manager, at [email protected] . The Rural Heritage Partnership Program is focused directly on providing funding to Michigan's small, rural communities.

For the purposes of this program: Small refers to communities that have a population of 25,000 or fewer persons according to 2020 U.S. Census Bureau data. Rural is defined as cities, townships, village, or counties that meet U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Business Program guidelines.

You can confirm whether your property is located in an eligible rural area by searching your address at the USDA Rural Business program website here: https://eligibility. sc. egov.

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pageAction=irp . A property must be located in a community meeting both the small and rural definitions to be eligible for the program. The following entities may apply for grant funding: Local units of government (village, township, city, or county) Private property and business owners are not directly eligible for this program.

However, an eligible entity may sponsor a project on behalf of a private property or business owner, so long as the project meets grant program eligibility. For example, an economic development organization could partner with a business owner for a facade rehabilitation project. When an entity sponsors an application on behalf of an owner, the sponsoring entity is the applicant.

If a grant is awarded, the sponsoring entity is the grant recipient and will be responsible for day-to-day coordination and administration of the grant. To qualify for a grant, a property must: Be located in an eligible community. Be a commercial, industrial, civic, educational, cultural or community-oriented building.

Owner-occupied residential properties are not eligible. Multi-family and mixed-use properties that include residential units are eligible. Be located in a traditional downtown, along a prominent community corridor, or related area that contributes to the economic, social, and/or cultural vitality of the community.

Be listed in the National Register of Historic Places, either individually or as a contributing property to a historic district. Interested parties are strongly encouraged to confirm the status of their property prior to completing an application by contacting Alan Higgins at [email protected] . Grant funds are for rehabilitation of historic properties (i.e., “bricks and mortar” projects).

Rehabilitation is defined as the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features that convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values. Projects may include interior work, but all projects must include an exterior component.

Examples of qualified projects include but are not limited to: Structural repairs and stabilization Roof (and related features) repair/replacement Wood siding and trim repair/replacement Window and door repair/replacement Storefront rehabilitation Replacement of documented but missing historic features Exterior and interior finishes and features Building system upgrades (e.g., HVAC, fire suppression, etc.) Painting (as part of a larger project) Accessibility improvements Energy efficient upgrades SHPO held an informational webinar on April 29, 2026.

Below, you can watch a recording of the webinar below for an overview of the Rural Heritage Partnership Grant program, including eligibility requirements, program basics, and the application and project selection process. In addition, answers to questions asked during the webinar are available here . Notice of Funding Availability Official announcement of funding availability for the Rural Heritage Partnership Grant Program.

Frequently Asked Questions Check out answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the Rural Heritage Partnership Grant Program. Have questions about a grant application? Need assistance?

Contact SHPO to discuss your Rural Heritage Partnership Grant project.

Grant Manual and Application Materials Rural Heritage Partnership Program Grant Manual Grant project manual and application instructions Grant Project Application (PDF Version) Fillable PDF version of the Rural Heritage Partnership Grant project application Grant Project Application (Word Version) Fillable Word version of the Rural Heritage Grant Program project application Grant Application Signature Page (PDF) Signature page required for all grant applications Exhibit A: Budget Worksheet Required Exhibit A: Budget Worksheet for all grant applications Exhibit B: Project Schedule Required Exhibit B: Project Schedule for all grant applications Helpful Information for Applicants TEMPLATES + EXAMPLE DOCUMENTS Exhibit C: Resolution Templates Owner Authorization Template (for sponsored projects) Owner-Applicant MOU Example (for sponsored projects) Preservation Easement Example Helpful Information for Awardees Vendor Selection Template Quarterly Progress Report Template 50% Reimbursement Request Template Completion Report Template