This morning the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism met and unanimously passed Senate Bill 1310: the Main Street Tourism and Historic Revitalization Act. The bill provides a 20% tax credit for eligible historic properties being restored and preserved and 30% for those in a Florida Main Street designated area.
Speaking at the meeting Committee Vice Chair Senator Tom Wright said, "This is a great bill, and the timing is perfect. It will be a great thing for Florida."
Nearly two dozen Main Street representatives and preservationists from around the state were in attendance at the Florida Capitol to support the bill. The nonprofit 1000 Friends of Florida also spoke in favor of the Main Street Tourism and Historic Revitalization Act with Policy and Planning Director Jane West sharing the organization's support for the bill as an important tool to help promote infill development, which is sorely needed in Florida.
"This legislation will kickstart projects and increase economic development in communities throughout Florida,” said Melissa Wyllie, CEO and president of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. “This tool will help protect many of Florida's irreplaceable historic resources and ultimately provide jobs and strengthen communities throughout the state.”
The next stop for the legislation is the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax, which is chaired by bill sponsor Representative Ana Maria Rodriguez. The legislation's House companion bill HB 247 is waiting to be added to the agenda in the House Tourism, Energy, and Infrastructure Committee.
Want to be a part of moving this important preservation legislation forward? Please contact the members of that committee and its Chairman Brad Drake to get it heard in committee. You can also reach out to your representative and ask them to cosponsor either the House or Senate Bill.