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November 14, 2006                                                                 Ross Bannister                                                                                                              (817) 410-3126                      

REPRESENTATIVE TRUITT ANNOUNCES PRESERVATION GRANT RECIPIENT

GRAPEVINE, TX -- The Representative for the people of the 98th Texas House District, Vicki Truitt (R-Keller), announced today that the Thomas Jefferson Nash Farm in Grapevine was awarded a $30,000 grant from the Texas Preservation Trust Fund (TPTF), a program of the Texas Historical Commission (THC).  The grant will assist the Grapevine Heritage Foundation in its effort to preserve this valuable landmark.

“We are thrilled at the Texas Historical Commission’s recognition of the importance of Nash Farm, “ said Pam McCain, co-chair of the Nash Farm Capital Campaign for the Grapevine Heritage Foundation. ”This grant is not only a wonderful financial addition to our fundraising efforts, but it adds momentum to our efforts as we look to create an agricultural educational center for the residents and visitors of the North Texas area.”

            The THC selected 19 preservation projects from 70 applications to be recipients of the 2007 TPTF grant awards totaling $448,200.

            The Texas Legislature created TPTF in an effort to preserve endangered historic buildings and significant archeological sites statewide.  The TPTF is an interest-earning pool of public and private monies.  The earned interest and designated gifts are distributed as matching grants.  The program provides up to one-half of the total project costs for acquiring, planning and developing historic properties and sites. 

            The state legislature provided a significant boost to the TPTF with $2.5 million in appropriations during previous legislative sessions and $500,000 in appropriations during the last two legislative sessions.  A portion of the interest on the appropriations was used for the 2007 grants to public or private owners of eligible historic properties or projects. 

            "The Texas Preservation Trust Fund is an investment in the future of Texas," said State Representative Vicki Truitt.  "The combination of state and private contributions dedicated to preserving our historic resources is an investment that will come back to us in the form of tourism dollars and increased business activity, not to mention the infinite value of preserving our past for this and future generations."

For more information, or to apply for the fiscal year 2008 TPTF grant awards, contact Lisa Harvell of the THC's Architecture Division at 512/463-6094 or P.O. Box 12276, Austin, TX 78711.  To view a list of grant recipients and projects, visit the THC web site at www.the.state.tx.us.

            District 98 includes Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake, Keller, Westlake and far North Fort Worth.