The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) helps strengthen Indiana's historical and cultural heritage through annual federal grants it administers to local communities and not-for-profit groups. The grants are used for preservation projects.

This year, the DNR Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology has awarded 16 federal grants for historic preservation and archaeology in Indiana communities. The grants, totaling $494,793, provide a match of $473,756 in local and state funds, for a total projected investment of $968,549.

Carroll County survey

One of the grants is for a survey in Carroll County. Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana received a $26,719 award for a countywide survey to document historic sites, structures, and landscapes throughout Carroll County. The survey will cover 402 square miles, and is expected to document approximately 2,300 sites for the state's historic sites and structures database.

Funding for the 16 grants comes from the National Park Service, a part of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which distributes federal funds to the states through the Historic Preservation Fund Program. Since 1974, the state has awarded more than $16.5 million to Indiana communities through this program.