Historic Ford Highland Park Plant competes to win $25,000 grant challenge

Aug. 25, 2010 - PRLog -- Historic Ford Highland Park Plant competes to win $25,000 grant challenge

The historic Ford Highland Park assembly plant –the birthplace of industrial mass production and the $5 per day wage – is in the running to receive a $25,000 grant in the “This Place Matters” Community Challenge, a national contest announced from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The ‘place’ with the most votes between now and September 15, 2010 receives a $25,000 cash award from the Trust. Funding will be used to support preservation and redevelopment efforts at the site. To vote, visit www.preservationnation.org.

The Woodward Avenue Action Association nominated the Ford Highland Park Plant due to its national significance as one of Woodward’s National Historic Landmarks. It is the home of the moving assembly line, the $5 per day wage, 8 hour workday and 40 hour a week work shift. It launched the American Middle Class and was a critical production facility as the Arsenal of Democracy manufacturing military vehicles during World War II during the 1940’s. The factory was so important to the country that the predecessor of the Central Intelligence Agency located its field office just steps away from the plant. For more information about Ford Highland Park watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiA_NGOBwZU.



“This Place Matters contest lets us shine a light on what is indisputably the State of Michigan’s most important historic building and probably one of the top 5 historically significant buildings in the United States. This plant changed the world as we know it and it’s hard to believe that we have such an important national treasure and so many drive by it and have no idea what impact it had globally, “ says Woodward Avenue Action Association All-American Road Manager, Deborah Schutt.

About the Woodward Avenue Action Association
The WA3 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, economic and community development organization. Its
mission is to enhance and improve the visual, economic, functional and historic character of the 27-mile Woodward Avenue through a local and regional effort. Woodward Avenue is also a member of the prestigious National Scenic Byway’s Collection ® and is designated an All-American Road ® one of only 37 in the country. Visit www.woodwardavenue.org.

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The Woodward Avenue Action Association is a Michigan nonprofit corporation, a 501(c)(3), working to improve the visual, economic, functional and historic significance of the 27-mile Woodward Avenue through public, private, local & regional partnerships.