Ohio’s original statewide preservation organization made the news recently in a unique way – and not in the Buckeye State!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a landmark of journalism in the south and the largest paper by circulation in Georgia, recently set out to express its opinion in an article entitled, “Five ideas to get the conversation started.”
The conversation which they had in mind was on ways to best manage Greater Atlanta’s growth. The 21-county Atlanta region is forecast to reach 7.9 million residents by 2050, an increase of 1.8 million over the 2020 Census baseline.
What was the first idea they shared? We quote:
“How can cities forge into the future while retaining the charm and history of their vibrant past? Ohio might hold some answers. Preservation Ohio connects cities with state and local tax credits, which are used as incentives to preserve historic buildings. Since the first round of funding in 2007, tax credits have been approved for 562 projects to rehabilitate more than 795 historic buildings in 77 communities.”
Why, yes we do.
That shared, the true star of this show is the Ohio General Assembly, which first enacted and then maintained the Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program, and the advocates who have worked to preserve the financial incentive.