Action Alert: Urge Congress to Include Historic Preservation Programs in Future Stimulus and Relief Legislation
As Congress is considering future relief efforts in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Preservation Action along with our partners are advocating to make sure the historic preservation community is part of that conversation. This week, Preservation Action joined the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) and the National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (NATHPO) in sending a letter to Senate appropriators and a letter to House appropriators requesting $120 million for the Historic Preservation Fund. This includes $30 million for SHPOs and $15 million for THPOs to address survey and digitization, and $75 million for Certified Local Governments which will provide economic stimulus to local communities while preserving historic resources.
Preservation Action also joins the Historic Tax Credit Coalition, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and others in urging Congress to strengthen the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) as a tool for economic recovery. We're advocating for Congress to include provisions of the Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (S.2615 / H.R. 2825) in future federal stimulus legislation. The HTC-GO would make several important changes to the HTC that would increase the impact of credit, expand the use of the credit, and enhance its value. We're also urging Congress to temporarily increase the HTC from 20% to 30% which data has shown would increase rehabilitation activity, stimulate job creation, and catalyze additional economic activity in local economies. Review the Historic Tax Credit Economic Economic Stimulus Request Talking Points for more information.
In addition to urging Congress to strengthen historic preservation, Preservation Action opposes any legislative efforts to create exemptions or otherwise undermine the provisions and protections included in the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and National Environmental Protection Act. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation submitted a letter opposing legislative exemptions for the NHPA. The letter points out that exemptions are unnecessary as the NHPA already includes a variety of tools adapt the process, and specifically includes mechanisms to allow for an expedited review process in the case of national emergencies. Review ACHP's letter to learn more.
TAKE ACTION
We need your voice. Join us in urging Congress to include support for historic preservation programs that help to stimulate the economy in future federal relief legislation. Add your organization's name to the National Trust for Historic Preservation's preservation community sign-on letter by Monday, April 27th. An addition to the items mentioned above, the letter also calls for additional support for non-profits, inclusion of the Great American Outdoors Act (S. 3422), and support for important Historic Preservation Fund grant programs including an additional $75 million each for the Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grants; Save America's Treasures; HBCU Grant program; and Civil Rights Grants program. Take action, add your organization to the preservation community letter today. The deadline signatures is Monday, April 27th.
Congress Passes Additional Funding for Paycheck Protection Program
This week Congress passed the Paycheck Protection Program and Healthcare Enhancement Act with near unanimous support. The President signed the bill earlier this afternoon. The bill includes an additional $321 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program which provides loans for small businesses and non profits to help cover up to 8 weeks of payroll and associated costs. The loans can be forgiven if certain criteria are met.
The Small Business Administration announced last week that the popular program, which was included as part of the CARES Act that passed in March, was out of money, prompting Congress to make additional funds available. The bill also includes an additional $60 billion in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) which provides a grant of $10,000 and low interest loans to small businesses and non profits.
Learn more about how your non-profit can take advantage of these relief funds.
National Register of Historic Places Program Launches Electronic Only Submission Process
Earlier this month the National Register of Historic Places launched an electronic-only submission process for the duration of the coronavirus situation. The National Park Service was previously forced to briefly suspend submissions to the Keeper of the National Register, including new nominations. The electronic submission process allows the National Register program to continue their important work while staff continues telework operations.
To review the new electronic submission process, take a look at the instructions released by the National Register of Historic Places program. Additionally, the National Conference of State Historic Places is maintaining an updated list of each State Historic Preservation Offices operating status on their website.
Preservation Action is the only national
non-profit dedicated exclusively to lobbying for the best preservation policies at the federal level. We seek to make historic preservation a national priority by advocating to all branches of government through a grassroots constituency empowered with information and training.
As Congress is considering future relief efforts in response to the coronavirus pandemic, 
