National Press Release

DETROIT, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- MotorCities National Heritage Area (MotorCities), an affiliate of the National Park Service designed to preserve, promote and interpret the automotive heritage of Southeast Michigan, continued providing support for Michigan non-profit organizations by doubling its 2008 grant allocation program to $100,000.

During the 2008 grant cycle, MotorCities awarded 19 grants in excess of $92,000 to organizations across the region. Approved projects ranged from the development of new interpretive exhibits at local museums and historical societies; facilitating a visitor center at the Model T Automotive Heritage Complex; and supporting regional automotive celebrations.

"The auto industry has probably done more to shape the American landscape and American society than any other industry. Each of our grant recipients is telling its portion of that story," said Gary Familian, MotorCities' Managing Director. "These grants will help to increase the volume of the voices of the people and places across Southeast Michigan. This is a time where we all need to reflect on what is great about our region."

    The 2008 MotorCities grants include:
    -- Flint Cultural Center - General Motors in Art: 100 Years of Vision and
       Design
    -- Dearborn Chamber of Commerce - Visitor & Welcome Center Story Boards
    -- Detroit Historical Society - Preserving Our Automotive Heritage
    -- Michigan State Fairgrounds - Michigan State Fairgrounds Auto Heritage
       Project
    -- Engineering Society of Detroit - SciEngiMathePloration
    -- Detroit Science Center - High Tech Intersection
    -- Macomb County Historical Commission - Macomb County Historic
       Destinations Map
    -- Meadow Brook Hall - Meadow Brook Hall Brand Development
    -- East Detroit Historical Society - Displays Illustrating 1921 Model T
       Fire Truck, Its Use and Restoration
    -- Model T Automotive Heritage Complex - Visitor Orientation Center
    -- Michigan Firehouse Museum - Seminars Supporting the Preservation and
       Restoration of Historical Vehicles
    -- Plymouth Historical Society - Interactive Alter Car History Project
    -- Neighborhood Renewal Services - Garaged: A City Accommodates An
       Automobile
    -- Woodward Avenue Action Association - Woodward Avenue Tribute Program
    -- Village of Brooklyn - Branding/Marketing of Brooklyn
    -- Michigan Historic Preservation Network - MHPN Heritage Track Conference
       Scholarships
    -- Oakland Township Historical Society - Reuther 100 Exhibit Project
    -- Saline Area Historical Society - Celebrating 100 Years at the
       Rentschler Farm Museum on US12
    -- Presentation and Staging Materials to Assist with Commemoration of
       100th Anniversary of the Model T and Piquette Facade Restoration


    The next grant cycle is scheduled to take place in March 2009.

About MotorCities National Heritage Area

The programs and activities of the MotorCities National Heritage Area are designed to increase tourism throughout the State of Michigan; develop and deploy educational and informational programs that tell the story of the automobile industry and labor in our region; and encourage revitalization through conservation. MotorCities was designated by Congress in 1998 and is currently one of 40 National Heritage Areas in the United States. For more information, please visit www.motorcities.org.

SOURCE MotorCities National Heritage Area