By Brooks McCabe
Republished from the State Journal at http://www.theet.com/statejournal/historic-preservation-is-a-major-opportunity-in-w-va/article_63897cca-e357-5fa4-b357-65712081052b.html There is a renewed interest in increasing West Virginia’s historic rehabilitation tax credit from 10 percent to 25 percent. The suggestion has considerable merit, even given the state’s current dire financial situation. The state is redefining itself as a diversified economy supported by a high quality of life rooted in the natural splendor of its mountains, streams and valleys, accentuated by historic downtowns with a size and scale of communities making it Almost Heaven. West Virginia is in the middle of learning to live within its means. The current fiscal crisis is front and center; it must be dealt with immediately, as painful as it might be. However, everyone also agrees the long-term solution to West Virginia’s woes is to significantly grow a diversified economy and the jobs that go along with it. The end game is more and better jobs; the state’s fiscal shortfalls will be lessened accordingly. It is further agreed that state government’s role is not to create jobs, but to provide a regulatory and tax structure that strongly encourages private-sector investment and job creation. This is exactly what a well-conceived historic rehabilitation tax credit program can and will do. Revitalize West Virginia’s Downtowns is a broad-based coalition including, among many others, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, the Abandoned Property Coalition and the West Virginia Economic Development Council. The goal of this group is to encourage the Legislature to increase the historic rehabilitation tax credit from 10 percent to a more competitive rate of 25 percent. The coalition believes this will spur private investment, create jobs, repurpose vacant and underutilized buildings and provide the state with a positive return on its investment. There is considerable data being developed that confirms these outcomes. Stephanie Meeks, president and chief executive officer of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has written a book titled “The Past and Future City,” which speaks directly to the opportunities and outcomes afforded from the rehabilitation of historic buildings. She documents real economic and job creation benefits from renovating and repurposing historic properties. The framework is in place for West Virginia to make these suggested outcomes a reality. There are 92 commercial and mixed-use registered historic districts in the state. Morgantown’s Wharf District, the Wheeling National Heritage Area, Charleston’s Village District, Fayetteville and Lewisburg are but a few of the successful illustrations of what historic preservation can do for tourism, economic development and jobs creation in general. But the potential is much more dramatic if the historic rehabilitation tax credit is brought into central focus. The Eastern Panhandle has been an engine of economic growth for the state. Historic properties and downtown redevelopment have been a significant part of the resurgence. But most of the growth has been in new construction and subdivisions dotting the rural landscape. This has created a division between those in favor of growth verses those desiring slower growth. http://www.theet.com/statejournal/historic-preservation-is-a-major-opportunity-in-w-va/article_63897cca-e357-5fa4-b357-65712081052b.html Appalachian Forest Heritage Area is one step closer to national recognition, thanks to the introduction in the Senate of the S. 401 Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area Act of 2017. Introduced by U.S Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the bill would designate the 18 county region in the highlands of West Virginia and western Maryland as a National Heritage Area.
“We are incredibly excited to have our designation bill introduced in the Senate this early in the Congressional session,” said Phyllis Baxter, Executive Director of Appalachian Forest Heritage Area. “We thank all four of our Senators for their support and look forward to movement on our bill as the session progresses.” Appalachian Forest Heritage Area (AFHA) has been seeking National Heritage Area designation since approval of their Feasibility Study by the National Park Service in 2006. Designation as a National Heritage Area will bring national recognition of the importance of the Appalachian Forest Heritage story, as well as technical assistance through the National Park Service and funding for local projects. AFHA works only with willing partners, and designation as a National Heritage Area does not change any land management and does not add any new regulations. Appalachian Forest Heritage Area (AFHA) has been working for over 15 years to promote rural community development through heritage tourism and forest conservation. As a heritage area, AFHA works across county and state lines with communities, agencies and non-profit groups. AFHA builds partnerships with a wide variety of interest groups, including forest industry, public lands agencies, and environmental groups, historic and cultural sites, and tourism and community development efforts. Recent accomplishments include the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center in downtown Elkins, new on-line thematic story map tours, and conservation awareness outreach. AFHA sponsors a 38 member AmeriCorps program which provides assistance to local site partners on conservation, community development, heritage tourism, and historic preservation projects. For more information about Appalachian Forest Heritage Area, see www.appalachianforest.us , call 304-636-6182 or email afha@appalachianforest.us. For the Senate press release, see https://www.capito.senate.gov/news/press-releases/capito-manchin-cardin-van-hollen-introduction-legislation-to-designate-appalachian-forest-heritage-area The Preservation Alliance of WV is excited to announce that two bills have been introduced in the West Virginia Legislature to increase the state historic rehabilitation tax credit from 10% to 25%.
In the Senate, SB238 was introduced by Senators Ferns (lead sponsor), Plymale, Weld, and Maroney and referred to the Committee on Economic Development and then the Committee on Finance. In the House of Delegates, a similar bill was introduced by Delegates Pyles and Upson and referred to the Committee on Finance. The coalition – Revitalize West Virginia’s Downtowns, https://revitalizewvdowntowns.com/ – is asking the West Virginia Legislature to increase West Virginia’s uncompetitive 10% historic rehabilitation tax credit to 25%, in order to:
West Virginia has 92 commercial and mixed-use historic districts ripe for revitalization – yet developers choose to invest in neighboring states instead of our downtowns due to West Virginia’s uncompetitive 10% historic rehabilitation tax credit. Neighboring states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio and Virginia, all have 25% historic rehabilitation tax credits. Since 2002, each of these three states has created more than 44,000 jobs in the redevelopment of historic buildings, generating more than $3 billion in total income for each state. In the same period, West Virginia’s 10% tax credit has created just 3,529 jobs, and $170 million in total income. West Virginia must take action to remain economically competitive with surrounding states. An increase in the current state historic rehabilitation tax credit from 10% to 25% would make West Virginia’s historic commercial districts more attractive to developers, spurring private investment. Another bill to keep an eye out for this session is HB2356, which was also introduced by Delegate Pyles. The purpose of this bill is to require the approval of the Historic Landmarks Commission for certain Municipal Planning Commission projects within a historic district designated by listing on the National Register of Historic Places. It was referred to the Committee on Political Subdivisions then Government Organization. Follow the PAWV blog for updates on these bills. By Lori Kersey, Charleston Gazette Mail
West Virginia’s fairs and festivals and other arts programs would have their state funding stripped away in a budget proposed by Gov. Jim Justice. Justice’s proposed budget calls for a $4.3 million cut to the state Division of Culture and History, which includes the West Virginia Commission on the Arts and the State Historic Preservation Office. The budget cut would affect all of the agency’s $4.3 million in regular lottery funding, which “contains funding for various items such as fairs and festivals, symphonies, Historic Preservation Grants [and] many other items of this type,” Mike McKown, state budget director, said in an email Thursday. The Division of Culture and History also has $4.8 million in its general revenue budget and receives other special and federal revenue, McKown said. – See more at: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20170209/justices-budget-would-cut-fairs-festivals-funding-#sthash.o0HaZrUo.dpuf
West Virginia has 92 commercial and mixed-use historic districts ripe for revitalization – yet developers choose to invest in neighboring states instead of our downtowns due to West Virginia’s uncompetitive 10% historic rehabilitation tax credit. Neighboring states, including Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia, all have 25% historic rehabilitation tax credits. Since 2002, each of these three states has created more than 44,000 jobs in the redevelopment of historic buildings, generating more than $3 billion in total income for each state. In the same period, West Virginia’s 10% tax credit has created just 3,529 jobs, and $170 million in total income.
The state must take action to remain economically competitive with surrounding states. An increase in the current state historic rehabilitation tax credit from 10% to 25% would make West Virginia’s historic commercial districts more attractive to developers, spurring private investment. There are a number of ways you can support the proposal to encourage redevelopment of West Virginia’s historic building, you can contact your state legislators and sign a petition. Learn more by visiting https://revitalizewvdowntowns.com. The coalition’s members include the Abandoned Property Coalition, the American Institute of Architects WV Chapter, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Wheeling National Heritage Area, and private businesses. If your organization is interested in joining the coalition, contact PAWV at dlapresta@pawv.org to learn how. CALL TO ACTION: URGENT ADVOCACY NEEDED, HISTORIC TAX CREDIT IN DANGER OF REPEAL IN TAX REFORM12/12/2016
President-Elect Trump and Speaker Ryan have prioritized moving tax reform legislation in the first one hundred days of the next Congress which begins in January. A tax reform package could move quickly through Congress by way of the budget reconciliation process, which only requires a simple majority for passage in the Senate, instead of the typically needed 60 votes to cut off debate.
Ways and Means Republican Committee members will be meeting on December 14th-15th to agree on big picture elements of tax reform with a goal to have a draft bill to review in early January. We expect tax reform legislation will follow Speaker Ryan’s “A Better Way” blue print, released earlier this year. This document recommends eliminating tax credits and deductions, which would include the Historic Tax Credit (HTC), the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). The Historic Tax Credit is in grave danger of elimination in tax reform. Historic Tax Credit advocacy is urgently needed, both in the near term and throughout 2017. The Historic Tax Credit (HTC) is the most significant federal financial commitment to historic preservation. Over the last 36 years, the credit has created 2.3 million jobs, leveraged $117 billion in investment, and rehabilitated more than 41,250 buildings—all while generating enough in federal revenue to pay for itself. The Historic Tax Credit Coalition, National Trust for Historic Preservation, National Trust Community Investment Corporation and allied organizations, like the Preservation Alliance of WV, are moving quickly to increase lobbying capacity. However, there is no substitute for the advocacy that you can provide. Your assistance is critical! We are hopeful that if a sufficient number of Senators and Representatives convey their support for the HTC to party leadership and to members of the tax writing committees, the Historic Tax Credit can be retained as an important part of a reformed tax code. Requested Action: Contact House Members of Congress ASAP– Call (during office hours) or email the offices of your Members of Congress before December 14th and ask to speak to tax staff or staff contacts you have in offices. Since there are no West Virginia Representatives on the House Committee on Ways and Means, ask that they “Please contact Chairman Kevin Brady and other members of the House Ways and Means Committee to explicitly state your support of the Historic Tax Credit when reviewing draft Tax Reform Bill.” Resources: 1. HTC Fact Sheet and Key Points to share with legislators: 2. HTC Maps a. State and Congressional Maps with Economic Data b. Interactive Mapping Tool developed by Novogradac and Company How to Contact Your Member of Congress To locate the name and phone number of your House Representative or Senators go to:http://www.sos.wv.gov/public-services/contacts/Pages/federaloffices.aspx Alternatively, call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-225-3121 (during office hours) and asked to be connected to your Senators’ or House Member’s DC office. Once connected to the office, you should identify yourself as a constituent, and either asked to be connected with tax staff or ask for the email of tax staff to communicate your advocacy. Then follow-up on your request. Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act This Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act (HTCIA) provides several reform options to enhance the Historic Tax Credit as part of a reformed tax code. While the opportunity to co-sponsor this bill has past, the legislation reflects the reform ideas that have broad political support and could be included in a tax reform package. · The House version of the bill (H.R. 3846) has attracted strong bi-partisan support on the Ways and Means Committee and presently has 53 Members of Congress supporting the bill. · The Senate version of the bill, sponsored by Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), introduced last March has 7 bi-partisan co-sponsors.
I am very interested in heritage tourism, and think that the Glen Dale/Moundsville/Wheeling area has a great deal of untapped potential for attracting both local visitors and tourists. Serving with the Convention and Visitors Bureau staff, I would like to try and boost Cockayne’s profile and entice more people to visit. Cockayne has a large and varied collection that is ready to be cataloged and conserved, which are my special areas of expertise, and I am fortunate to have the support of the entire University of Delaware Museum Studies SWAT Team behind me in the event any particularly challenging problems arise. I am hoping to leave Cockayne next year with a solid collections management plan and to have provided training to the staff and volunteers on the best practices of stewarding the collection. Since coming to Cockayne in August, I have made the acquaintance of two wonderful dogs and many people. My boyfriend Zach and I have spent two weeks being tourists in the area, and it has been amazing. Director Janell Keyser and the members of the board of Cockayne have been more than welcoming, even including me in meetings that have given me insight into what the hopes and plans are for the future of the site. I have even learned that there are paranormal happenings right here at Cockayne and will be sure to document every otherworldly experience. In just the month that I have been here, I have already participated in a workshop on historic window repair and attended a conference in Beverly with the entire PAWV team, and am very excited to see more of this beautiful state and hear about the ideas and experiences of the other members of PAWV team 2016.
Both of these bills would mainly:
(1) allow an increased 30% credit (from the current 20% credit) for small-sized transactions, between $750,000 and $3.75 million; (2) simplifies the tax credit transfer process for projects under $2.5 million. We need your help in asking our Senators and Representatives to co-sponsor this bill and move it forward. Currently, there are no Senators or Representatives from West Virginia co-sponsoring this bill. If you would like to see a list of projects utilizing the historic tax credit, please visit http://www.preservationnation.org/take-action/advocacy-center/additional-resources/historic-tax-credit-maps/2015/WV_map-and-economic-impacts-and-project-lists-from-2001-to-2014.pdf. How can you help? Please contact your Senators and Representative today. As their constituent, your opinion matters, and these improvements to the tax credit can make more projects viable in West Virginia. It’s as simple as sending an email. They’re contact information is available at http://www.contactingthecongress.org/cgi-bin/newseek.cgi?site=ctc2011&state=wv. All you need to do is complete a contact form asking them to co-sponsor either HR3846 or S2655. If you want to send something more substantial, here is a sample letter. Dear xxx, As a constituent who values the preservation of our state’s rich and diverse heritage, we respectfully request that you co-sponsor the Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act, S. 2655 / H.R. 3846. Your support of this legislation will demonstrate our nation’s ongoing commitment to federal tax policies that help revitalize our economy and preserve Main Street communities throughout the nation. The Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act, H.R. 3846 / S. 2655, introduced in the House by Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and in the Senate by Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), would reform the federal rehabilitation tax credit for the first time in thirty years in several important ways by:
Since President Reagan signed the federal historic tax credit into law, it has leveraged nearly $117 billion in private investment, created 2.5 million jobs and adapted more than 41,250 buildings for new and productive uses. And the credit more than pays for itself – over the life of the program the IRS has issued $24 billion in tax credits while generating more than $28.6 billion in direct federal tax revenue. Today, it is the most significant investment the federal government makes to preserve our nation’s historic properties. From 2001 – 2014, the Internal Revenue Service awarded almost $28 million in federal historic tax credits to projects in West Virginia, resulting in the completion of 85 projects statewide and nearly $168 million in total development expenditures. For these 85 projects, 3,366 jobs were created, and $34 million in federal, state, and local taxes were generated. Over this thirteen year period, projects were very frequently completed in historic downtowns and for various purposes including downtown development, housing, entertainment, office space, and more. Some of the more recognizable projects include the Quarrier Diner restaurant building in Charleston, the First Ward School Apartment Building in Elkins, the Ritz Theatre in Hinton, the Old JC Penny Building in Huntington that is now home to the Taste of Asia, the Morgantown Beauty College building, and many more. Please consider signing on as a co-sponsor to the Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act, S. 2655 / H.R. 3846. As always, we look forward to continuing our collaborative work with Congress, preservation and partner organizations, business leaders, and individuals working to recognize the value of the historic tax credit, and its role in improving the quality of life in cities and towns across the nation. Your support of the Historic Tax Credit Improvement Act is greatly appreciated. Please let us know what information we may provide to help ensure the federal historic tax credit continues our nation’s successful policy of preserving and revitalizing our older and historic communities. Sincerely, As Appalachian Forest Heritage Area continues to work with West Virginia Congressional delegations to seek National Heritage Area designation for Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, they need to show widespread support. You can show your support by a support letter to AFHA, and/or by contacting your Congressional offices directly.
Contact Your Representatives Directly contact your representatives. Call their DC office and leave a message, or email through their web site contact. You can also contact their in-state staff and share this message as well. Contact your Congressman to thank them for their sponsorship of HR 693 to designate Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area, and encourage them to also support HR 581 the National Heritage Area Program bill. Congressman David McKinley, WV 1st https://mckinleyforms.house.gov/email-me 202-225-4172 Congressman Alex Mooney, WV 2nd https://mooney.house.gov/contact 202-225-2711 Congressman Evan Jenkins, WV 3rd https://evanjenkins.house.gov/contact (202) 225-3452 Congressman John Delaney, MD 6th District http://delaney.house.gov/contact/email-me 202-225-2721 Contact your Senator’s office to thank them for their support, and encourage them to again sponsor a Senate bill to designate Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area. Encourage them to also support a bill to establish a National Heritage Area Program. Sen. Joe Manchin http://www.manchin.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact 202-224-3954 Sen. Shelley Moore Capito http://www.capito.senate.gov/content/contact-shelley 202-224-6472 Sen. Ben Cardin http://www.cardin.senate.gov/contact/ 202-224-4524 Sen. Barbara Mikulski http://www.mikulski.senate.gov/contact/ 202-224-4654 Please drop an email to phyllisb@appalachianforest.us to let us know the contacts you’ve made, and if you get a response. Write AFHA Support Letter You or your organization can show your support by sending a support letter or resolution directly to AFHA. Then we can share it with our representatives to show our widespread support. If you previously wrote a letter, you can write a new one that indicates renewed support, or discusses progress that AFHA has made since our initial round of letters in 2004 – 2006. We also are seeking letters that support the National Heritage Area Program and passage of a NHA Program Bill. Success with this bill will make passage of the AFNHA bill much more likely. For general support letter or resolution, please include the following sentiments: I/we support National Heritage Area designation for the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area Also acceptable, although not as strong a statement, is: I/we support national recognition of the significance of our forest region (or of our forest heritage assets.) Address it to: Appalachian Forest Heritage Area Board, PO Box 1206, Elkins WV 26241 If you email it, pdf is preferred with an original signature. Send to phyllisb@appalachianforest.us Letter content, samples, talking points: The letter can talk about your own organization if you want, and how AFHA has benefited or will benefit your work. It can include ways you expect to be involved or support AFHA. Some additional talking points follow – just pick what applies to you, and feel free to rephrase it if you want. The letter can be short (preferably keep to one page) – but best in your own words. It doesn’t matter so much what you say, but more that fact that you have made the effort to write. Talking Points – AFHA:
Talking Points – NHA Program Bill:
Sample organizational letters can be found at the AFHA website. Sample organization letter ys you expect to be involved or support AFHA. Some additional talking points follow – just pick what applies to you, and feel free to rephrase it if you want. The letter can be short (preferably keep to one page) – but best in your own words. It doesn’t matter so much what you say, but more that fact that you have made the effort to write. A bill to designate the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on February 3. HR 693 was introduced by Congressman David McKinley (WV-1) with co-sponsorship from Congressmen Evan Jenkins (WV-3), Alex Mooney (WV-2) and John Delaney (MD-6). The area is made up of 18 counties in the Appalachian highlands that reach into all three West Virginia districts and western Maryland.
Designation as a National Heritage Area will bring recognition of the national significance of the area, marketing and technical assistance from the National Park Service, and potential matching funds for Heritage Area local projects. There are currently 49 National Heritage Areas across the country, each designated by Congress as places where natural, cultural and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. National Heritage Areas provide a grassroots, community-driven approach to heritage conservation and economic development. “West Virginia’s abundant natural resources include its scenic landscapes, forests, touring areas, historic sites, and fishing and hunting spaces,” said Congressman McKinley. “The Heritage Area designation will recognize these unique places while ensuring the local community has control and safe and productive use can continue. This legislation addresses the concerns of many in West Virginia and throughout the region and we will continue to build support for it.” Appalachian Forest Heritage Area has been working for more than twelve years to recognize, improve, and promote the forest heritage of the highlands of West Virginia and western Maryland. “Our accomplishments include wide-ranging partnerships, conservation improvements, heritage tourism development, and interpretation about our forest heritage,” said Phyllis Baxter, Executive Director. “We are thrilled that our Congressmen sponsored this bill to bring national recognition of our forest heritage and more opportunities for our communities.” Recent projects of the Appalachian Forest Heritage Area include the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center in the Darden Mill in Elkins, featuring forest heritage displays and information about sites to visit around the region. Conservation projects have included tree plantings and efforts to control non-native invasive species. The AFHA AmeriCorps program places AmeriCorps members at sub-sponsor sites to provide direct service to improve communities and the environment. Appalachian Forest Heritage Area works only with willing partners and welcomes participation from individual, organization, and business members. For more information see www.appalachianforest.us, email afha@appalachianforest.us, or call 304-636-6182. |
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