Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) today announced a series of grants for local governments and school districts throughout Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, and Orleans counties being distributed by the New York State Archives (NYSA). The grants, ranging from $2,399 to $53,754, will be used to assist local governments and community organizations to improve record management systems.

Grants awarded to community organizations are called Documentary Heritage Program grants and grants awarded to local governments are Local Government Records grants.

The programs are funded by the Local Government Records Management Improvement Fund, which derives its revenues from a small percentage of the fees paid when people file or record documents with county clerks and the Register of New York City.

Hawley also points out that the grants will be used to help preserve the rich history of Western New York. “These grants will help make our local governments more efficient to better serve the public,” said Hawley. “Furthermore, they will allow localities to continue to keep excellent records today so that future generations may understand the importance of our region to the rest of New York state.”