Explanation
This legislation will authorize the City to provide support to the Columbus Historical Society (CHS), which is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, presenting and promoting the history of Columbus, Ohio. The mission of the Columbus Historical Society is to educate the citizenry, to preserve the historical artifacts of Central Ohio, and to instill pride, love and respect for ourselves, our cultures, and our ways of life. CHS accomplishes its mission through exhibits, collections, and heritage-based economic development and tourism programs. CHS is the steward of Columbus’ past and has been entrusted with a monumental duty to preserve and protect it.
In Columbus, Ohio, the Columbus Historical Society is tasked with maintaining our city’s history, but history and historic preservation are under threat nationwide, and this has impacted local efforts. At the federal level, the 2013 federal sequestration forced $110 million in cuts to national parks and in turn, the closure, reduced hours, or other cost saving measures to be taken at all national parks including historic sites. Ohio’s cuts to historical sites started several years before the national cuts. In 2009, four historic sites were temporarily or permanently closed due to budget cuts. Even the Ohio History Connection (formerly the Ohio Historical Society) in Columbus went on a mandatory furlough for one week to save money. Since 2008, CHS has had a 60% reduction in support.
City Council deems this an appropriate use of Jobs Growth Funds made available through the 2015 budget process.
Title
To authorize Columbus City Council to appropriate and expend $25,000.00 from the Jobs Growth fund and to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus Historical Society for program support and development. ($25,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to appropriate and expend $25,000.00 from the Jobs Growth fund and to enter into a grant agreement with the Columbus Historical Soci...
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