5 days ago
Millions in federal funding for history preservation in jeopardy due to budget cuts
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Preserving history in Oklahoma and across the United States could be at risk due to federal budget cuts.
Without the millions in funding, projects restoring and maintaining pieces of state history may be on the chopping block.
In President Trump's proposed budget, the Historic Preservation Fund is eliminated.
Lynda Ozan, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, says their agency could run out of money by late summer, putting a stop to their efforts.
'We are currently operating on our fiscal year 24 money, which will run out soon. Our fiscal year 25 money should have been released in October of last year,' said Ozan.
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Oklahomans working in the agency are also at risk of losing their jobs due to layoffs.
Ozan says preserving history is a big part of economic development, as older buildings and historical artifacts are restored over generations.
'Things from road construction to cell tower installations, and then our big tax credit programs like First National or even Price Tower up in Bartlesville that was just purchased, those are going to need our staff to help them through that process,' said Ozan. 'And then, just regular things that we do with our community, whether it's education with children or community outreach through our Main Street program here in Oklahoma to help revitalize downtowns.'
Oklahomans are now encouraged to act.
'They need to reach out to their elected officials, whether that is at the local level or all the way up to Washington, D.C.,' Ozan said.
Ozan provided an example on one of the ways we see history preserved in Oklahoma, using the mother road, known as Route 66.
'We're coming up on a major anniversary for Route 66. All those small communities are going to see influx of people. We've done a lot of history in these communities that people will now be experiencing because we've helped them do that,' Ozan said.
Ozan also recommends asking local lawmakers to walk through the historic buildings in a specific community to show them why they're important.
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