The Gem Theatre has been awarded $14,985 in funding thanks to Georgia drivers who purchased historic preser-vation license plates.

The Gem Theatre is one of only four projects to be awarded Georgia Heritage grants totaling $46,285.

The Historic Preservation Division (HPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources administers the grant program.

$22 from each $25 specialty tag fee goes to the Georgia Heritage Grant Program to fund projects that help pre-serve significant historic buildings and sites owned by local governments and non-profit groups.

According to Sarah Husser, director of Fundraising & Marketing for Friends of Calhoun's GEM Theatre the funds will be used to continue restoration of the theatre to original 1927 condition.

“The $14,985 will go towards restoring the lobby and concessions area ceilings,” Husser said.

“The lobby has a plaster and crown mould ceiling that will take approximately four weeks to restore. Restoration of the metal and tile ceiling in the concessions area will take six to eight weeks to complete. These projects will begin in January.”

This is the second year for the Heritage Grants to be awarded.

"In 2008 we were able to fund only one $20,000 project that first year of revenue sales, so we are pleased to have been able to fund four projects this second year,” said Dave Crass, Historic Preservation Division Acting director. “We hope that sales revenue will continue to grow each year to come," Crass said.

"The program has awarded over $3 million in matching grants to 239 preservation projects in the state since 1995," he said.