FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 25, 2003

Governor Ehrlich Announces Heritage Tax Credit Task Force

ANNAPOLIS - Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. today announced the creation of the Task Force to Study the Maryland Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program that will study the program’s past projects and attempt to determine the effectiveness and financial significance of the tax credit to the State’s residential and commercial revitalization programs.

“The Heritage Tax Credit Program is a critical source of funding for the refurbishment of historic homes and industrial facilities throughout Maryland,” said Governor Ehrlich. “The members of this new task force share my commitment to preserving our history while creating better homes, communities, and jobs for Maryland residents.”

The current Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program, administered by the Department of Housing and Community Development, is set to sunset on June 1, 2004. The Task Force will evaluate the current program and make recommendations to the Governor whether to continue the tax credit through new legislation next session.

The task force will begin work this fall with the following charge from Governor Ehrlich:

• Review the implementation and use of the Maryland Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program;
• Review and evaluate the direct and indirect economic benefits to the State of the Maryland Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit Program, and examine the means to increase the economic benefits to the State;
• Evaluate whether rehabilitations and proposed rehabilitations that are eligible under the program would have occurred without the tax credits or would have occurred in a different manner;
• Make recommendations as to whether or in what form the Maryland Heritage Tax Credit Program should be continued;

Comptroller William Donald Schaefer was appointed by the Governor as chair of the Task Force. Other members of the task force are:

Secretary Victor L. Hoskins, Department of Housing and Community Development
Secretary Aris Melissaratos, Department of Business and Economic Development
Secretary Audrey E. Scott, Department of Planning
Secretary James C. “Chip” DiPaula, Department of Budget and Management
William Pencek, Director of Baltimore City Heritage Area
The Honorable Larry Giammo, Mayor of Rockville
Harry Swartz, Consultant for Public Policy for the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Bernard Callan, Historic Preservation Advocate
Ronald M. Kreitner, Executive Director of Westside Renaissance
Bettyjean Murphy, Savannah Development Corporation
David F. Tufaro, Summit Properties, Inc.
David Hillman, Southern Management, Inc.

Governor Ehrlich has directed the Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Task Force to develop its conclusions and recommendations by December 15, 2003.

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