In April 2021 the Tennessee General Assembly developed the Historic Development Grant Program and allocated $4.8 million to renovate and preserve the State’s historic buildings. The legislators recognized that historic buildings and their preservation expand the state’s economy, create new employment opportunities, revitalize and renew communities, create an environment for investment, and promote tourism and rural economic development.
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced that applications are now being accepted for the Tennessee Historic Development Grant Program. Once completed applications are submitted, awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis. A portion of the funding will be set aside until December 31, 2021 for projects located in Tier 3 and Tier 4 communities.
Various criteria must be met in order for a structure to be eligible for a grant. Eligible properties that qualify as certified historic structures are defined here.
Applicants must be the person or entity who holds legal fee or leasehold title to a certified historic structure, or an identifiable portion of the certified historic structure. Applicants will be notified of award on or around July 1, 2021, and contracts are expected to begin later that month.
TNECD will be hosting webinars for interested applicants to learn more about the grant program. Webinar information can be found by clicking on the dates below:
Tuesday, May 18, 2021 | 1-2 p.m. CDT
Wednesday, May 19, 2021 | 1-2 p.m. CDT
Thursday, May 20, 2021 | 1-2 p.m. CDT
Additional information about the grant, eligibility and application can be found here.
“Governor Lee’s leadership in supporting adaptive reuse is a positive step in revitalizing our downtowns and rural communities, said AIA Tennessee’s president, Richard Foster, AIA. “While adaptive reuse protects historically significant buildings from demolition, this is also about restoring pride back into communities, transforming downtowns, supporting local businesses, and increasing the quality of life.”
Since 2015, AIA Tennessee and the National Trust for Historic Preservation led a coalition of allied organizations including mayors, Tennessee Main Street and Downtown communities, local preservation organizations, small business owners and developers to advocate for a state historic tax credit to preserve and revitalize historic buildings in the state of Tennessee. The commitment of the Lee Administration is a promise to revitalize historic buildings across Tennessee and create good-paying local jobs in communities that need an economic boost.