HUD PARTNERS WITH PRESERVE AMERICA INITIATIVE IN HORRY COUNTY, SC
Horry County, South Carolina becomes one of 521 designated communities

HORRY COUNTY, SC - At an event held today, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Director Bob Young awarded Horry County the designation of a Preserve America Community. Joining Regional Director Bob Young was Liz Gilland, Chair, Horry County Council; Joel Carter, Horry County Board of Architectural Review Board, Walter Hill, Acting Horry County Museum Director and other local leaders.

In an effort to promote the Preserve America initiative and preserve historic communities, HUD has partnered with
the Advisory Council, other federal agencies, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the President's Council on Environmental Quality, and the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities. First Lady Laura Bush is the honorary chair of Preserve America. To date, 521 communities have been designated as Preserve America communities.

"Preserve America Communities, neighborhoods, and grant recipients know the importance of historic preservation
to the economic, educational, esthetic, and cultural life of America, as well as to their residents, their visitors, and especially to their children," said Regional Director Bob Young. "The citizens of Horry County, South Carolina do a great job of preserving and promoting their heritage."

Horry County was a pioneer in historic preservation in America, as is evident by their work in: produced four high quality driving brochures for the County showing the BAR's website - www.horrycounty.org/boards/bar.asp;
updated and installed new Historical Markers throughout the County; worked with the area of Galivants Ferry to create a district that has been included on the National Register of Historic Places; worked with the area of
Socastee to create a district that has been included on the National Register of Historic Places; started a Cemetery Project which will locate, map and inventory more than 230 historic cemeteries in the County with intentions of identifying and restoring those cemeteries most in need and designating those historic cemeteries to the Horry
County Register of Historic Places; and worked with property owners to utilize Special Tax Incentives in renovating historic properties.

Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the
country's cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.

"In addition to governments, the private sector - businesses, philanthropic groups, historical organizations, educational institutions, and private citizens - also have a crucial role to play. Public-private partnerships are
already supporting excellent preservation work throughout our country, and they'll be vital to preserving our
national treasures in the years ahead," said Mrs. Bush.

For further information on the Preserve America initiative go to: www.preserveamerica.gov

For local information contact: Lisa H. Bourcier, (843) 915-5390.
For further information contact: Angelo Scioscia, HUD (803) 253-3201.

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