Advocacy Alert: Tax Credit and Grant Programs at Risk

Dear Members and Friends,

From Curran Hall to the homes featured in our 60th Spring Tour, so many of Little Rock’s historic treasures have been saved and restored thanks to two key federal tools: the Historic Tax Credit (HTC) and the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF).

Both are now under threat—and your voice is urgently needed.

TAKE ACTION NOW – It Only Takes 2 Minutes

Email your elected officials and urge them to:

Include the HTC-GO Act (S. 1459) in the Senate tax bill
Release FY2025 Historic Preservation Fund dollars
Fully fund the HPF in FY2026 to protect local preservation programs

Advocate for HTC-GO and HPF funding »

Email Congress directly:
Email Senator Boozman
Email Senator Cotton

What’s at Stake

The Historic Tax Credit helps bring vacant buildings back to life.
The Historic Preservation Fund supports local grants, staffing, and protections for historic places.

These aren’t abstract tools—they directly fuel our ability to preserve Little Rock’s architectural heritage and grow our community.

Where Things Stand

On May 22, the U.S. House passed a tax bill that did not include proposed improvements to the HTC found in the bipartisan Historic Tax Credit Growth and Opportunity Act (HTC-GO). The Senate is expected to vote before July 4—and those improvements still have a chance to be included.

Meanwhile, although Congress approved HPF funding for FY2025 in March, those dollars have not been released. State Historic Preservation Offices across the country are cutting staff and halting key work. The White House’s FY2026 budget proposal would eliminate the HPF entirely.

What HTC-GO Would Do

HTC-GO (S. 1459 / H.R. 2941) is a bipartisan bill that would:

  • Increase the credit from 20% to 30% for small and rural projects

  • Restore one-year delivery of the credit

  • Allow credit transferability for smaller developers

  • Encourage investment in under-resourced communities

Key Sponsors Include:

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R–LA)
Sen. Mark Warner (D–VA)
Sen. Susan Collins (R–ME)
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D–WA)
Rep. Darin LaHood (R–IL)
Rep. Tom Suozzi (D–NY)

What Arkansas Stands to Lose

If HPF funding is delayed or eliminated, Arkansas could lose:

  • The Certified Local Government (CLG) program

  • $300,000+ annually in local preservation grants

  • Support for county courthouse restoration grants

  • Staff to process HTC project reviews and National Register nominations

We are fortunate to have support from Arkansas’s Real Estate Transfer Tax, but without federal dollars, essential programs and projects will eventually be at risk.

Sample Message You Can Send

I’m writing to ask you to support the inclusion of the HTC-GO Act (S. 1459 / H.R. 2941) in the Senate tax bill. These improvements will help preserve Arkansas’s historic places while fueling local job creation and economic growth.

I also urge you to support the immediate release of FY2025 Historic Preservation Fund dollars and to oppose any attempt to eliminate HPF funding in FY2026. These programs are vital to the future of Arkansas’s communities.

Preservation Is Action—And It Starts With You

If you love Little Rock’s history, now’s the moment to speak up. It only takes a couple of minutes—and it truly makes a difference.

This action alert is part of a broader statewide effort led by our partners at Preserve Arkansas, who continue to advocate powerfully at the state and federal level. We’re proud to stand with them—and with you—to protect Arkansas’s irreplaceable history.

With gratitude and urgency,

Tricia Bean

Executive Director