Sec. Kluttz and state Rep. Stephen Ross look on as Gov. Pat McCrory makes the announcement about his new historic preservation initiative
Since 1976, historic preservation incentives provided by the state and federal governments have helped bring in more $1.7 billion in private investment to the North Carolina and contributed to the preservation of our state’s rich historic character. A couple weeks back, Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz joined Governor Pat McCrory as he announced a new plan to leverage historic preservation investments for economic growth.
Gov. McCrory’s approach is two-pronged. First, he proposes setting up a Historic Rehabilitation Investment Program in line with his Economic Development Board's North Carolina Jobs Plan. The program will continue to include tax incentives to encourage investment in historic buildings and mills to strengthen local economies and bring jobs to towns and cities across the state. The Historic Rehabilitation Investment Program would be administered by the State Historic Preservation Office, one of DCR’s divisions.
Sec. Kluttz talks with a WBTV reporter about Gov. McCrory's new historic preservation initiative
"I am so proud of Governor McCrory's decision to promote the rehabilitation of historic buildings for proven economic development and job creation," said Secretary Kluttz. "As a former mayor, he is extremely aware of the value of the re-use of empty and underused historic buildings and the positive impact their development has on communities, including saving fragile neighborhoods, revitalizing downtowns and improving public safety. This investment program is critical for rebuilding cities and towns in North Carolina and supporting the 'Carolina Comeback' that the governor has promised."
The second part of the part of the governor’s approach is in an investment in the Main Street Solutions Fund, a matching grant program established in 2009 to rehabilitate buildings in smaller towns. Gov. McCrory said his budget will include $500,000 for that program. The Main Street Solutions Fund and the Historic Rehabilitation Investment Program strive to spur a renaissance in cities and towns reinventing themselves after the loss of long-time industries such as tobacco and manufacturing.
North Carolina is a leader in preserving its historic buildings and our programs have served as a model for investment programs in many other states.
Photos of the announcement and a roundup of some of the media coverage it garnered are both available online.