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The Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP)
this week announced the award of matching grants to 24 projects
including an initiative to protect 1025 acres on Black Mountain in
Sutton and Warner.
“LCHIP announced a $150,000 grant for Black Mountain, bringing the
campaign over the $1 million mark,” said Forest Society Vice President
for Development Susanne Kibler-Hacker. “Today’s total is $1,035,360. We
have December 15 to raise the remaining $165,000.”
Read the Forest Society announcement.
See FOMS earlier article about the project.
LCHIP and the economy
This round of LCHIP awards invest in the protection of 13 historic
structures and the conservation of 4317 acres of land, including 233
acres of farmland.
"Among the 24 projects, 90 people across the state will be employed,
adding over $1,000,000 to New Hampshire’s economy," according to the
LCHIP announcement.
“LCHIP is about more than land and buildings,” says Rusty McLear, the
LCHIP Board Chair. “The grants are a tool to help New Hampshire people
protect the quality of life that we all benefit from.”
Among other projects getting LCHIP funding are Potter Farm in
Northumberland, restoration of the cupola on the Gilmanton Academy/town
hall, and window and interior restoration to the 1907 Wilton Public and
Gregg Free Library.
The funding
A total of $1.59 million of LCHIP money attracted almost $28
million in total project value, according to the LCHIP report. This year’s match
leverage of 1:16 far exceeds the 1:1 match required by LCHIP law (NH RSA Chapter 227-M).
Funds for the LCHIP grants come from $25 recording fees collected by
county registry offices across the state, providing LCHIP with a base of
statewide financial support and the opportunity to invest in all
corners of the state.
However, in the last two years, the legislature raided the dedicated funding for the Trust Fund by transferring $1.5 million to the General Fund for the FY ending in 2010 and by slashing the allocation to be received from the registry recording fees by 50% for the FY ending in 2011.
Program administration is supported by receiving $6 from each sale of NH's conservation Moose Plate and from interest from the Trust Fund.
In 1999 the bi-partisan Land and Community Heritage Commission recommended a funding
level of $12 million per year. |
