Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program Has Pumped $66 Billion into the Economy and Supported 2.4 Million Jobs

The Nagle Law Office on Cumberland Ave in Middlesboro was one of the first and only
tax credit projects in Southeast Kentucky.

WASHINGTON, DC – Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell today marked the 35th anniversary of the highly successful Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program, which has helped preserve historic buildings across America while serving as an economic engine for local communities.

According to a new report from the National Park Service, in the 35 years since the first project was certified through FY 2012, the program has helped generate $66 billion ($106 billion in inflation-adjusted dollars) in private investment in historic rehabilitation and supported 2.4 million jobs, which have tended to be local and more high-skilled and higher paying than new construction.

“Since its inception the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program has proven to be an extraordinary success, supporting rehabilitation of more than 38,000 historic properties,” Jewell said. “The tax incentives administered by the program help preserve our past, benefit our economy in the present, and ensure that our national heritage will be remembered in the future. They are an investment in who we are as a country, both in conserving our heritage and in building stronger, more vibrant communities for today.”

In addition, the report details that projects supported by the program have rehabilitated or created 460,000 housing units, including 124,000 low-to moderate-income units. About two-thirds of projects are located in neighborhoods at or below 80 percent of area median family income.

In Fiscal Year 2012 alone, tax incentives made possible by the program supported projects that pumped $3.5 billion into local economics, supporting an estimated 57,000 jobs.

The report builds on an announcement earlier this week from the National Park Service issuing $21.6 million in historic preservation grants to states and territories and $3.7 million to 142 American Indian tribes to help preserve and protect historic sites.

Commonly referred to as the federal historic tax credit program, the program is administered by the National Park Service and the Internal Revenue Service in partnership with State Historic Preservation Offices. It provides a 20-percent tax credit to property owners who undertake a substantial rehabilitation of a historic building in a business or income-producing use, while maintaining its historic character.

Across the country, the program has helped revive abandoned or underutilized schools, warehouses, factories, churches, retail stores, apartments, hotels, houses, agricultural buildings and offices, and, in turn, helps support the redevelopment of entire downtowns and neighborhoods. It also supports community revitalization, job creation, affordable housing, small businesses, farms and Main Street development, among other economic benefits.

“The Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentive Program is the nation’s most effective program to promote historic preservation and community revitalization through historic rehabilitation,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “For 35 years, we have given these buildings a new life in a manner that maintains their historic character.”

The National Park service report marks the 35th anniversary of the first project to be certified under the program and highlights the program’s accomplishments and economic benefits as well as examples of the many projects, in communities both large and small throughout the country, that have benefited from the program.

The 35th anniversary report follows the release by the National Park Service earlier this year of the Fiscal Year 2012 annual report on the program and an executive summary of a report prepared by the Rutgers University Center for Urban Policy Research on the economic impacts of the historic tax credit.

The reports are available online here.

Additional information on the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program, including the application for participation in the program; the status of historic tax credit projects; and guidance on applying the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation as well as technical information concerning the treatment of historic buildings is available on the National Park Service’s Technical Preservation Services website.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at: www.nps.gov

Contact Information
Mike Litterst | 202-213-0354

Craig A. Potts named Kentucky Heritage Council executive director and state historic preservation officer

Kentucky Heritage Council Press Release

Craig A. Potts named Kentucky Heritage Council executive director and state historic preservation officer

Release Date                                                                Contact: Diane Comer

Thursday, June 6, 2013                                                502-564-7005, ext. 120

                                                                                    diane.comer@ky.gov

Frankfort, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear has announced the appointment of Craig A. Potts as executive director of the Kentucky Heritage Council (KHC) and state historic preservation officer, effective June 1. The position had been filled in an interim capacity by Lindy Casebier, deputy secretary of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet.

“I join with the entire board and staff of the Kentucky Heritage Council in congratulating Craig on his appointment,” said KHC Chairman Robert W. Griffith. “Craig is well-qualified by experience and temperament for this important work, and all of us wish him every success in this job, one that is so important to all Kentuckians.”

Potts has served as KHC’s Site Protection program manager since 2009, responsible for a staff of six who oversee Section 106 Review of federally funded projects and the agency’s professional archaeology component, which includes the Kentucky Archaeological Survey, a partnership between KHC and the University of Kentucky Department of Anthropology. In his new capacity, he will oversee a staff of 20 whose responsibilities also include administering state and federal rehabilitation tax credit programs, the Kentucky Main Street Program, historic sites survey, the National Register of Historic Places, preservation planning, the Certified Local Government (CLG) Program, and staff support for the Kentucky African American, Kentucky Native American and Kentucky Military heritage commissions.

“I am thrilled to receive this appointment,” said Potts. “I’ve always had a special love for this agency, and believe deeply in our mission of helping Kentuckians preserve their heritage and the things that give us a strong sense of place, including small towns, rural environments, and cultural resources that range from historic commercial buildings to prehistoric archaeological sites.”

In addition, he adds, “I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside this staff for a number of years and I greatly respect the work they do, day in and day out, for our constituents. I look forward to supporting them in this new role and working with them to do new and exciting things in moving the agency forward.”

Potts was previously senior architectural historian, principal investigator and supervisor for Cultural Resource Analysts Inc. in Lexington, responsible for oversight of architectural history and historic preservation projects; and a principal, project manager and general contractor with Potts & Potts LLC, a historic property rehabilitation and management partnership. The firm was recognized on the Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Positive Preservation in the Bluegrass” list of 25 outstanding projects in September 2007, for adaptive reuse of a circa-1850 building in Frankfort’s downtown commercial historic district.

He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Wittenberg University; a Master of Arts in architectural history, and a Master of Fine Arts in historic preservation, from the Savannah College of Art and Design; and logged a wide range of practical experience in cultural resource evaluation and management prior to first joining KHC as environmental review coordinator from 2001-2004.

Potts lives in downtown Frankfort with his wife, Amy, and sons Sam and Simon, in a historic commercial building he and his family recently rehabilitated.

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An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office is responsible for the identification, protection and preservation of archaeological resources and historic buildings, sites and cultural resources throughout the Commonwealth, in partnership with other state and federal agencies, local communities and interested citizens. This mission is integral to making communities more livable and has a far-ranging impact on issues as diverse as economic development, jobs creation, affordable housing, tourism, community revitalization, environmental conservation and quality of life. www.heritage.ky.gov

 

National Trust for Historic Preservation Awards Discover Downtown Middlesboro A Preservation Grant

For Immediate Release
Isaac D. Kremer Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc. Phone (606.248.6155),downtownmiddlesboro@gmail.com	National Trust for Historic Preservation 202.588.6141, pr@savingplaces.org

National Trust for Historic Preservation Awards Discover Downtown Middlesboro A Preservation Grant from National Trust Preservation Funds

Grant Will Go Toward the People’s Plan for Economic Development, Job Creation and Revitalization

Middlesboro, Kentucky (June 4, 2013)—Today, Discover Downtown Middlesboro was awarded a $5,000 grant by the National Trust for Historic Preservation from the Linda and Jerry Bruckheimer Preservation Fund for Kentucky of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The seed grant funds will be used to develop a strategic plan for the National Register-listed historic downtown area.

Discover Downtown Middlesboro has already hosted a Community Forum and Stakeholder’s Workshop with the help of this grant. The results are now being analyzed and further public input is being sought. Faculty and students with the Lincoln Memorial University School of Business will assist with preparing a professional report that will be completed by mid-September 2013. This will then guide downtown revitalization efforts over the next three to five years.

"Without organizations like Discover Downtown Middlesboro, communities and towns all across America would  have a diminished sense of place," said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  "The National Trust for Historic Preservation is honored to provide a grant to DDM, which will use the funds to help preserve an important piece of our shared heritage."

The National Trust for Historic Preservation dispenses small grants for local projects through the National Trust Preservation Funds grant program.  The grants range from $500 to $5,000 and have provided over $5.5 million dollars of funding since 2002.  They are awarded to nonprofit groups, educational institutions and public agencies, and must be matched, at least dollar for dollar, with public or private funds.  Preservation Funds grants are being used nationally for such wide-ranging activities as consultant services for rehabilitating buildings, technical assistance for tourism that promotes historic resources and educating children about their heritage.  These grants are often the deciding factor on whether historic buildings or sites can be saved for future generations.

For more information on National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Preservation Fund grants, visit: www.PreservationNation.org/resources/find-funding/grants/.

About Discover Downtown Middlesboro

Discover Downtown Middlesboro is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that  was founded in 2006. Since that time the organization has worked to spearhead revitalization of the downtown area. This is accomplished through coordinating grassroots action by volunteers on four committees – Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring. Some recent DDM projects include organizing the Christmas Parade and decoration of the downtown, addition of four fountains and seating at Cumberland Avenue and 20th Street, and encouraging the restoration of several buildings downtown.

About the National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation is a privately-funded nonprofit organization that works to save America’s historic places to enrich our future. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is committed to protecting America’s rich cultural legacy and helping build vibrant, sustainable communities that reflect our nation’s diversity.

DDM President Keith Nagle Wins Prestigious Preservation Award

Keith Nagle accepting the Ida Lee Willis Award.

  

Ida Lee Willis Memorial Preservation Awards are presented each May, which is National Historic Preservation Month. The awards recognize those who have demonstrated an understanding of and appreciation for the value of preserving and reusing Kentucky’s historic resources, whether through the rehabilitation of an important structure or community resource, or lifetime commitment to encouraging and promoting historic preservation. The awards are named for the late Ida Lee Willis, a former Kentucky first lady who was appointed first executive director of the Kentucky Heritage Commission (now the Kentucky Heritage Council) in 1966.

IDA LEE WILLIS MEMORIAL FOUNDATION PRESERVATION AWARD WINNERS

The Ida Lee Willis Memorial Award is presented to the individual who has demonstrated outstanding dedication to the cause of historic preservation in the Commonwealth. The 2013 recipient is Stephen L. Collins, of Shelbyville, vice chairman of the Kentucky Heritage Council, chairman of the Kentucky Historic Properties Advisory Commission, and longtime chairman of the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation. His fellow board members chose to honor him this year for his lifetime of service to preservation.

Preservation Project Awards recognize outstanding examples of restoration or rehabilitation of historic buildings, or other types of projects that have had a positive impact on Kentucky’s built environment. 2013 recipients are:

·         The Cox Building, Maysville

·         Rockcastle River Historic Truss Bridge, advocate Jim Hayes and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

·         Sadieville Rosenwald School

Service to Preservation Awards honor those who have furthered historic preservation activities or have had a positive impact in their communities, including individuals, organizations, public officials, financial institutions, news media, and/or volunteers. 2013 recipients are:

·         Nancy Adams, Pine Mountain Settlement School

·         Keith Nagle, Discover Downtown Middlesboro

·         Blue Grass Trust for Historic Preservation deTours Committee, led by board member sponsor Pamela Perlman

New this year, the awards selection committee voted to give special awards to two groups for their personal commitment to taking up a local preservation cause, and going above and beyond to engage others in their efforts. Recipients of Grassroots Preservation Awards are:

·         Obie Fardo, Frank Hussung, Billie Newman and Charlie Pyles, for rehabilitation of Bethel Church and Cemetery in Pendleton County

·         Friends of Sherman Tavern, Dry Ridge

Additional information about recipients and projects will be posted following the ceremony. For questions, contact Diane Comer, 502-564-7005, ext. 120 or email diane.comer@ky.gov.

# # #

An agency of the Kentucky Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, the Kentucky Heritage Council/State Historic Preservation Office is responsible for the identification, protection and preservation of archaeological resources and historic buildings, sites and cultural resources throughout the Commonwealth, in partnership with other state and federal agencies, local communities and interested citizens. This mission is integral to making communities more livable and has a far-ranging impact on issues as diverse as economic development, jobs creation, affordable housing, tourism, community revitalization, environmental conservation and quality of life.  www.heritage.ky.gov

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park Kicks Off a Summer Full of History, Nature and Music with the Melodies of “Wild Blue Yonder!”

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is especially known for its exciting schedule of free programs that highlight the area’s amazing wildlife, history and Appalachian music! On Saturday evenings during the summer, special weekly campfire programs are held at the park’s outdoor amphitheater located at the Wilderness Road Campground. This year’s summer campfire program schedule will kick off on May 25th with the folk/Americana band “Wild Blue Yonder!”

This musical group, a regional favorite since 2001, has broken into the realm of “newgrass.” Two top-selling CD releases have helped “Wild Blue Yonder” receive airplay on more than 60 stations in the U.S. and abroad. Their performances have spanned the southern states including North Carolina, Kentucky, Georgia, Mississippi, Virginia, and eastern Tennessee.

Sisters Cindy Wallace and Laura Knight, who both contribute fiddle and a variety of percussion to the band, began performing while still in their teens with their family in North Carolina. As the Wallace sisters, they have graced well known music venues including Dollywood and the Music Mansion in Sevierville, Tennessee. “Love So True,” their self-penned tale of lasting love, was among selections featured on a special 2010 CD celebrating Mast General Store’s 125th anniversary.

The Wilderness Road Campground is located in Virginia, two miles east of the Hwy 25E and Hwy 58 intersection. Visitors should proceed to the amphitheater, located at the end of loop C where parking is available. In case of rain, the program will be held at the national park visitor center, located on Hwy 25E, just south of Middlesboro, KY. This program is being co-hosted by the Friends of Cumberland Gap.

For more information about Cumberland Gap National Historical Park please call (606) 248-2817 or visit www.nps.gov/cuga. For more information on the Friends of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and how to become more involved please visit www.friendsofcumberlandgap.org or find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/friendsofcumberlandgap.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 395 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

Armed Forces Day, May 18 at 2pm in Downtown Middlesboro, KY

Flier for the event.

Middlesboro will have our annual Armed Forces Day Celebration this Saturday, May, 18 at  2:00 pm at the City Hall Parking lot. In case of rain the location will be the Middlesboro Community Center at 705 N Petersborough.  The theme this year is "Celebrate Freedom."

The 149th Mountain Warriors Delta Company will have equipment on display for inspection.  Also for the first time we will have reenactors dressed in Civil War garb. Middlesboro High School and Bell County High School Bands will perform.

This is the fourth year for this event and it is getting bigger each year. Bring your lawn chairs sit back and enjoy.  Turn it into a picnic.  This year there will be a pig roast.  So all you need to bring is what would go well with a "roasted pig."

The Armed Forces Day Celebration is generously sponsored by Bowling Law Office, DR Alexander Garage Corp., Hinkle Contracting Company, and Home Federal Bank.

National Leader in Sustainable Communities and Preservation Named First President of National Main Street Center, Inc.

Patrice Frey, a national leader in community development at the intersection of preservation and sustainability, has been named the first president and CEO of the National Main Street Center, Inc. Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and National Main Street Center, Inc., board chair Barbara Sidway made the announcement today. Frey, who currently heads the National Trust’s Sustainable Communities priority, will lead the newly formed subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The National Main Street Center, Inc., is an extension of the 33-year old Main Street program of the National Trust, which uses historic preservation as a tool for economic development in downtown and neighborhood commercial districts. More than 2,000 communities have participated in the Main Street program since its inception, leading to more than 235,000 building rehabilitation projects and the creation of nearly 475,000 jobs in those cities and towns. As the National Trust’s director of sustainability, Frey has conceived and grown the National Trust’s work around Sustainable Communities, which includes the Seattle-based Preservation Green Lab as well as offices in Chicago and Phoenix. “Her entrepreneurial skills in building an effective program with national impact led the National Main Street Center board of trustees after a long national search to unanimously and enthusiastically choose Patrice to lead Main Street in a similar way to the next level,” said Barbara Sidway, chair of the National Main Street Center. “As a private business owner, I am impressed by Patrice’s ability to build an organization.” “With her outstanding track record in preservation, sustainability, community revitalization, research, and nonprofit leadership, Patrice brings the skills we need to launch this new subsidiary and expand the Main Street program,” added National Trust president Stephanie Meeks. “Through the development of cutting-edge research, innovative policy solutions and technical tools that make it easier for people to reuse and green older buildings in our Sustainable Communities priority, Patrice has demonstrated that she has the vision and leadership skills to take Main Street to new heights.” Frey, a graduate of Scripps College and the University of Pennsylvania, where she received a Masters degree in historic preservation with a concentration in Real Estate Design and Development at the Wharton Business School — has been active in the field of preservation, community development, and sustainability for almost 15 years. In her most recent position, she provides thought leadership in the sustainable communities field and has served as lead author on a number of papers and studies, including The Greenest Building: Quantifying the Environmental Value of Building Reuse. “Patrice has shown a strong leadership sense and an ability to connect historic preservation with new and non-traditional partners that we believe will help us shape the future of the Main Street movement,” said Ms. Sidway, in making the announcement. “We were looking for someone who understood the new directions in community revitalization and sustainability, where Main Street has been an important player over the past three decades. In addition, we were seeking a strong leader who possessed the communication, fundraising, finance, and networking skills required to launch a new venture, and we believe we have found those in Patrice.” Frey will meet with the Main Street community at the annual National Main Streets Conference in New Orleans in April, and will join the National Main Street Center staff on May 1. She will lead the National Main Street Center organization from Chicago, where the program began more than three decades ago. Click here to read press release.