ST. PAUL - Four New Ulm historical projects are among the 30 recipients of Minnesota Historical Society grants announced on Thursday.

The Minnesota Historical Society is helping to grant wishes to dozens of historic and cultural organizations across the state with its Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Fast Track Grants of $7,000 or less.

The New Ulm recipients include:

Brown County Historical Society, improve collections security, $6,939.

New Ulm Public Library, acquire newspapers on microfilm, $6,966.

New Ulm Turnverein, Turner Hall handicap accessibility, $6,995.

Wanda Gag House Association, Flavia Gag Art Restoration, $6,757.

"The Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants have been highly anticipated by grant applicants throughout the state - especially this first round. We received many applications for deserving projects. There's definitely pent-up demand for these resources," said Britta Bloomberg, deputy state historic preservation officer.

The grants are made possible by the people of Minnesota who voted on Nov. 4, 2008, to pass the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to the Minnesota Constitution to support efforts to preserve Minnesota land, water and legacy, including the state's history and cultural heritage.

Other Fast Track Grants recipients include:

Gaylord: City of Gaylord, Gaylord City Park National Register Nomination, $3,000.

Mountain Lake: Lake Commission of Mountain Lake, "Mt. Lake and the WPA" historic marker, $1,300.

Subsequent Fast Track Grant deadlines are the final Friday of every month through 2011 depending upon the availability of funds.

MHS will award a total of $6.75 million in Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants to non-profit and educational organizations, government units and tribes during the 2010 and 2011 fiscal years.