HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 053-21 - Extending the Minnesota Historic Tax Credit Program
RESOLUTION
Urging the State Legislature and Governor of the State of Minnesota to continue the
Minnesota Historic Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program.
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Historic Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit program (Minn. Stat.
290.0681) was passed into law in April 2010 to pair with the federal Historic Tax Credit for
the purpose of attracting capital to historic rehabilitation projects that help stimulate local
economies.
WHEREAS, in 2013 the initial 2015 sunset date of the Minnesota Historic Tax Credit (MN
HTC) was extended to expire on June 30, 2021.
WHEREAS, the MN HTC it has created over 18,660 jobs, leveraged $1.9 billion in private
investment, and spurred $3.5 billion in economic activity in Minnesota.
WHEREAS, recognizing the importance of this kind of program, more than 35 other states
have enacted their own historic tax credit programs to help revitalize the commercial
downtowns of their cities and Main Street communities.
WHEREAS, historic buildings are home to more jobs in start-up, small businesses and
engage with 25-80% more women and minority-owned businesses than new buildings.
WHEREAS, national data show that character-rich historic and mixed-age buildings contain
more than twice as many units of affordable rental housing and more diverse residents in
terms of age, race, country of origin, and sexual orientation when compared to areas with
large, new structures.
WHEREAS, the MN HTC program generates an impact in 97% of the state’s industries,
boosts state and local tax collections, and has a catalytic effect by building neighborhood
confidence and generating follow-on projects for nearby blocks.
WHEREAS, projects completed with support from the MN HTC in Fiscal Year 2020 will
generate an estimated $176.5 million in economic activity, resulting in $9.52 of economic
activity generated for every $1 awarded.
WHEREAS, the most sustainable building is the one that is already built and any renovation
to an existing structure would minimize the need to source carbon intensive materials like
concrete or others from across the country and world, reduce its contribution of demolition
and construction waste to landfills, and can be used as an opportunity to optimize the on-
going performance of the facility to further greenhouse gas reductions.
WHEREAS, the MN HTC program has been used in two highly successful and high-profile
projects in the City of Rochester: the Conely Maass Downs/Bleu Duck Building and the
Castle Community.
WHEREAS, without Legislative action the MN HTC program is due to sunset on June 30,
2021, which would curtail future benefits of this program for communities and the economy
of Minnesota.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Common Council of the City of Rochester
that the Rochester City Council supports the MN Historic Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit
program and urges the Governor of Minnesota and the Legislature to extend the Historic
Tax Credit program.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS__________DAY OF______________, 2021.
___________________________________
PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST: __________________________
CITY CLERK
APPROVED THIS_____DAY OF_____________________, 2021.
__________________________________
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
(Seal of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota)