“I am proud to take this opportunity to announce a new funding program which will help preserve heritage buildings across the province,” Minister MacFadyen said. “Under this new Provincial Heritage Incentive Program, owners of buildings designated under the Heritage Places Protection Act will be eligible for a cost-shared contribution to help cover expenses associated with repairs and renovations, if they meet the criteria of the program.”

The Minister continued on to say that Charlottetown and Summerside already offer incentive programs which help property owners repair and renovate heritage properties, and that these programs have been very successful.

“The new Provincial Heritage Incentive Program will provide similar benefits to Islanders living outside of our two cities,” he added. “By using a cost-shared model, we believe that a modest contribution by government will leverage other funds and encourage owners of heritage buildings to undertake work which will enhance the historic nature of these structures.”

For a list of guidelines or an application form, contact Charlotte Stewart, Heritage Officer, 368-5940, or Darin MacKinnon, Registrar of Heritage Places, 368-4708, or e-mail heritageplaces@gov.pe.ca

BACKGROUNDER

The Provincial Heritage Incentive Program assists the owners of properties that are of historical significance to the Province and are designated as heritage places under the Heritage Places Protection Act. The program's objective is to ensure that work is done in a manner that retains important architectural features of the designated heritage building. It also is intended to encourage investment in heritage properties and aid in their conservation.

• Financial assistance is in the form of a grant of 25% of the eligible costs of an approved project with a maximum grant of no more than $3,000.

• This new program applies only to designated properties located outside of Charlottetown and Summerside. Both cities have their own heritage incentive programs. Residents of those cities can consult their municipal heritage officials for funding assistance available to them.

• Individuals outside of Charlottetown or Summerside can contact: Charlotte Stewart, Heritage Officer, 368-5940 or Darin MacKinnon, Registrar of Heritage Places 368-4708 or heritageplaces@gov.pe.ca for applications and information.