Dear AIA Tennessee Members,
Now that the legislative session has ended, I am excited to share with you AIA TN’s advocacy accomplishments this year, which include funding for historic preservation projects and a remarkable investment of $1 billion in capital infrastructure!
State Historic Preservation Efforts
As many of you know, we have been advocating for several years to pass a state historic tax credit in Tennessee. After many discussions and a strong coalition effort, the Lee Administration included $5 million to fund a pilot program for historic preservation in the 2021/2022 fiscal budget with a commitment to fund $5 million a year for the next four years.
While pilot program is currently in development stage, we know that funding will be delivered via a grant program that is administered by the TN Department of Economic & Community Development in coordination with the TN Historical Commission. The Administration preferred to fund rehab projects via grants verses a state historic tax credit. However, it will likely include key aspects of our legislation such as property must be on the National Register of Historic Places and be ready to undertake significant rehabilitation projects according to the Dept of Interior Standards for Historic Preservation. The program will likely focus on primarily rural areas of Tennessee and Tennessee Main Street or Downtown communities. It is anticipated program details will be completed by the end of May.
We will continue to work with the Administration and the TN Historical Commission to assist in the planning and educational outreach on the new program. I want to express thanks to our coalition friends that we have partnered with for years to gain support for historic preservation such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, local preservation groups, chambers of commerce, city and county mayors!
Historic Investment in Capital Infrastructure
Last year, once AIA TN secured profession as an “essential service” in Tennessee, leaders faced what seemed to be a looming economy ahead. The Board of Directors deemed AIA TN’s main legislative goal for 2021 was to advocate and grow support for capital improvements and maintenance. Over the course of several months leading up to legislative session, AIA TN met with administration officials and key policy makers to discuss how the design and construction industry impacts the economy. We were thrilled when Governor Lee released his proposed budget in February with over $900 million in funding for capital improvements and maintenance.
Throughout the legislative session, AIA TN’s government relations team met with state legislators to explain how investment in the state’s infrastructure will create jobs, support business growth, and improve opportunities for TN residents. Our lobbying efforts paid off and not only did the funds remain intact, but additional funding was also added to the final budget to make it $1 Billion in capital infrastructure – the largest amount ever passed!
On behalf of AIA Tennessee, thank you to leadership, volunteer advocates, and our professional lobbyists/staff for achieving this result and for their tireless advocacy for our members, firms, and the practice of architecture in Tennessee.
We look forward to sharing further updates from the legislative session with a recap of bills and list of projects forthcoming!
Thank you as always to our members for your support of the profession.
Sincerely,
Richard-Allen Foster, AIA
President, AIA Tennessee