TUPELO – Mayor Jack Reed Jr. will receive a framed letter today from First Lady Michelle Obama recognizing Tupelo as a Preserve America Community.

The designation was granted to the city in November after efforts by the Tupelo Historic Preservation Commission, whose members worked throughout 2009 to apply for it.

Tupelo joins 20 other communities in Mississippi and hundreds more nationwide designated as Preserve America communities. Only communities that protect and promote their historic assets and use them for revitalization efforts are accepted into the 6-year-old program.

“It shows that we’re dedicated to historic preservation,” said BJ Teal, the city’s Development Services Director, who will present the framed letter to Reed. “It’s notable, and it should be recognized.”

In addition to White House recognition, the city also received a metal “Preserve America Community” sign it can post, and it’s now eligible for numerous grants available through the program.

According to the Web site, “more than $17 million in matching grants has been awarded to 228 projects through the country since 2006.”

Commission chairman Michael Jones called the grants a significant opportunity for Tupelo to further improve and enhance its historic offerings.

But it will be up to the city – not the commission – to seek those grants.

From that standpoint, Jones said, “we’re waiting for direction from Jack to see what he thinks is the most important thing to do.”

Contact Emily Le Coz at (662) 678-1588 or emily.lecoz@djournal.com.