Mark your calendars!  The HTC Coalition Legislative Session Kickoff Fundraiser is scheduled for Wednesday, January 23, 2008 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Schlafly Tap Room, 2100 Locust Street, in downtown St. Louis.  Hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available.

Come and show your support for Missouri's Historic Tax Credit program while helping to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this vital economic development tool.  This national-model legislation has made historic preservation possible not only in major cities like Kansas City and St. Louis but in smaller communities across the state seeking to revitalize their "main streets" and downtown districts.  The vast majority of job creation, business development and investment in local economies involving historic preservation would not have occurred over the past ten years without historic tax credits.  Despite its incredible successes throughout the state, the historic tax credit faces ongoing legislative threats to cap or sunset this indispensable program.  Last session, the HTC Coalition was instrumental in preventing the passage of Senate Bill 86, introduced by Senator Brad Lager (R-12th District),  which called for a sunset of historic tax credits.   The latest threat is Senate Bill 735, http://www.senate.mo.gov/08info/pdf-bill/intro/sb735.pdf, introduced by Senator Matt Bartle (R-8th District).  Like Senate Bill 86, this Bill requires a sunset of tax credit programs.  Without available tax credits, banks and developers alike will not be able to finance and pursue key renovation projects that depend on these credits.  The loss of investment, economic development and historic architecture would be disastrous.

The Coalition must continue to lobby, educate and coordinate the struggle to preserve historic tax credits in our state.  This will not be done without the generous support, financial and otherwise, from professionals who benefit from the historic tax credit and know how crucial its continued existence is for our state.  Many involved in historic preservation and economic development today remember all too well what happened in 1986, when tax credits were eliminated: a 96% drop in renovation projects statewide.   In order to continue to be effective, the Coalition must be able to remain on the legislative front lines.  If it is to be preserved, the historic tax credit must be protected. 

If you are professionally engaged in historic preservation efforts, you already know how important the historic tax credit is.  If you are merely a citizen who wants your own community and others to reuse the historic architecture that makes our towns and cities distinctive places, this issue concerns you.    Please support the Coalition financially and by communicating with your senators and representatives about the importance of leaving our state's vital tax credit programs untouched.

For more information about the HTC Coalition and the upcoming fundraiser, please contact Christian Saller at christian.saller@savehistorictaxcredit.org or (314) 621-6115