INSTRUCTIONS for FILLING OUT YOUR NOTICE OF INTENT

NOI

Part I. Applicant Information: Who is eligible?
Eligible applicants include local agencies and municipalities from the four counties (Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna, and Wyoming) located within the Endless Mountains Heritage Region. Also included are any appropriate non-profit organizations with tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status located within the region.

Indicate contact person, title, organization, address, daytime telephone number, and e-mail address.

Please include your organization's potential list of partners for this project. Include the name of the partnering organization, a contact name and phone number. A partner is defined as an individual, organization, group or business providing funding, technical assistance or other services. Private funding of at least 10% of the grant amount is required. Partners do NOT need to meet the same eligibility criteria required of applicants.

Part II. Budget Information:
Indicate the amount of PHPP grant funds you are requesting.

State the required cash match to the grant request.

Include the Administrative Fee to EMHR, Inc. (6% of the PHPP grant amount).

Give the Projected Total Project Cash Cost (grant request + cash match + admin fee)

Provide a list of the anticipated sources of the matching funds. Indicate the name of the organization, amount, public or private funding and whether the funding is in-hand, pledged or pending.

Note: Each grant recipient who signs a sub-agreement for a project with the Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc., will be required to pay an administrative fee to the EMHR equal to six percent (6%) of the final approved PHPP grant amount. EMHR will invoice each recipient for this administrative fee after contract execution. The administrative fee cannot be paid with PHPP grant funds, nor does it count towards matching funds.
EMHR's administrative services include: liaison with the PHPP, technical assistance, development of sub-agreements, coordination among EMHR partners, assistance in selection of vendors, assistance in project publicity, and project monitoring.


Part III. Project Details: What projects are eligible?
Eligible projects are described in or are consistent with the actions detailed in the EMHR's Management Action Plan (MAP). (See attached list of priority areas.)

Fill in the title of your project.

Based on the guidelines below, circle whether your project is an Implementation or Special Purpose Study.

Implementation Projects: (50% grant/50% cash match, which includes private sector money equal to 10% of the grant amount).
Projects that implement recommendations from the MAP and/or recommendations from Special Purpose Studies (SPS) funded in a prior year. Some examples include an inventory of regional cultural and natural resources, a thematic guided tour, interpretive/educational exhibits, conservation and preservation, development of bikeway and walking trails.

Special Purpose Studies: (75% grant/25% cash match, which includes private sector money equal to 10% of the grant amount)
A concentrated study or plan necessary to implement one or more recommendations found in the MAP. Some examples include a master plan, exhibit plans, location plan for signage, and a feasibility study.

Include the expected start date and completion date. Approximations are acceptable. Projects will only be reimbursed for eligible expenses incurred after grant approval.
Provide a brief summary of the project or study. Include the project's significance to the EMHR's mission to maintain and enhance the unique rural character of our Endless Mountains.

Contact for Grant Assistance:
For further information, prospective applicants may contact the EMHR's staff at the address and phone number listed below:

Endless Mountains Heritage Region, Inc.
1 Washington Street, Suite B
Towanda, PA 18848
Phone: (570) 265-1528
e-mail: emhr@epix.net
www.endlessmountainsheritage.org

Grant Application Priority Areas

Top Priority
Based on the Management Action Plan (MAP), the EMHR Board of Directors adopted these priority areas in November 2002. The following will be given highest consideration for funding:
1. Tourism and Recreation
         a. Acquisition, renovation, and/or restoration of historic sites/properties.
         b. Projects that will keep the public aware of all heritage region activities through regular press releases, lectures, tours, etc.
2. Interpretation and Education
         a. Assist museums, historic sites, environmental, and cultural organizations to secure funding to enhance interpretation and educational programs and to develop joint marketing to expand program audiences.
         b. Support development and operation of cultural and arts centers in under-served areas.
3. Economic Development
         a. Support agricultural preservation and development efforts in the region.
         b. Integrate economic development into regional interpretation by encouraging local business to participate in heritage promotion activities.

Medium Priority
The EMHR Board also set the following medium priority areas. They will be given funding consideration after projects/studies that fall under the top priority status:
1. Interpretation and Education
         a.Identify anchor heritage sites and heritage sites. First need to develop criteria for each kind of site.
         b. Inventory regional cultural and natural resources.
         c. Identify anchor heritage sites that have the potential to become community or regional heritage centers and assist them in evolving to that status.
         d. Prepare interpretive design guidelines for heritage region publications, signage, and exhibits.
         e. Work with the interpretive network to develop materials and programs, i.e. walking, side-trip brochures, traveling exhibits, business promotions, special events, mini-tours, workshops, lectures.
2. Economic Development
         a. Work with local partners to nurture entrepreneurial potential and identify heritage-related small business opportunities.
3. Agriculture
         a. Create an agricultural Heritage Trail.
4. Community Planning
         a.Develop a region-wide group to pursue civic and governmental historic preservation initiatives.
         b. Ensure that preservation and conservation issues are addressed in any comprehensive plan developed.
         c. Develop a series of training courses for municipal and civic officials, business owners, and property owners on maintenance of historic structures, the community's role in historic preservation and community design issues.