WILMINGTON — A recently introduced bill could reinstate incentives used to preserve North Carolina historic buildings.
The North Carolina Historic Preservation Tax Credits expired at the end of 2014 and now the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources Secretary, Susan Kluttz, is taking a statewide tour to promote the renewal of these tax credits.
On Friday, Kluttz joined area leaders for a tour of historic buildings in downtown Wilmington.
“This is something that’s proved to be successful. You see it right here in Wilmington. I see it on every stop that I have gone to throughout the state, from Asheville to Wilmington, how much this has done and how important it is to continue,” said Kluttz.
Historic tax credit projects have taken place in 90 of the 100 North Carolina counties.
Since 1998, the projects have brought in more than $1.6 million in private investment.
“Tax credits work. They work for the community. They enrich the community. They raise property values. They create jobs. They create new businesses, new startups, new employment. They create a better sense of the community’s vitality. They bring in tourism,” said George W. Edwards, an executive director of the Historic Wilmington Foundation.
As Kluttz continues her statewide tour, she wants people to understand how critical it is that they reach out to their legislators.
“Let the legislators know that it is urgent, that they vote for this and they support it and they bring these tax credits back,” said Kluttz.
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