Florida is in need of economic revival and jobs. Florida Main Street programs are catalysts for economic revitalization and the retention and recruitment of jobs.
The 2010 Economic Impacts of Historic Preservation in Florida, prepared by the Center for Governmental Responsibility, University of Florida, Levin College of Law, reports that in 2007-2008, Florida Main Street programs had a total investment/output of roughly $409.6 million in construction and retail job benefits. The economic impacts of the net Florida Main Street investment within Florida in 2007-2008 were these:
- 4,865 jobs;
- $148 million in income;
- $209 million in gross state products;
- $65 million in total taxes (state/local: $21 million and federal: $44 million); and
- $187 million in in-state wealth (gross state product minus federal taxes).
These statistics are even more relevant when we consider that this fiscal activity is generated by grass-roots volunteers, whose only agenda is enhancing their home community.
As I travel throughout the state, I often encounter chambers, city economic departments and other organizations that will do just about anything to attract industrial or manufacturing firms that promise to bring 100 or more jobs to their community. As incentives, they offer free land, buildings, infrastructure and dollars. Usually, these incentives are tied to a 10-year time frame. Unfortunately, a number of communities are finding that when the incentives are gone, so are the firms -- leaving behind vacant buildings and deserted industrial or manufacturing parks.
Meanwhile, mom-and-pop stores downtown collectively provide more than 100 jobs. They opened their stores without public incentives, and many will serve the community for 50 or more years.
Main Street programs are dedicated to saving historic buildings as part of economic restructuring. They do so, not only to retain the innate culture and character of the community, but because they know that historic preservation prevents sprawl by utilizing extant buildings and infrastructure; it also attracts tourists who are drawn to view historic assets.
From leading economic development professionals like Donovan Rypkema, they learned that --
- reinvestment in historic buildings reinforces the value of existing real estate;
- dollar for dollar, historic preservation is one of the highest job-generating economic development options available;
- historic preservation creates more jobs than the same amount of new construction. It is labor intensive and most laborers can be hired locally. Materials, too, can usually be purchased from local suppliers. That means that more of the money spent on historic preservation projects will stay in the community;
- historic preservation is a fiscally responsible reaction to the high cost of infill;
- rehabilitation cost is competitive with new construction when demolition is factored in;
- due to the quality of materials and workmanship, the life expectancy of rehabilitated historic buildings may well be longer than new structures.
Throughout the state there are numerous historic buildings that should be saved, but many are being razed due to lack of funding for stabilization and rehabilitation. These projects are shovel-ready, with the ability to bring an immediate, positive economic impact to communities and the state. Saving them will retain a path to the past that is quickly disappearing. Losing them will create a lost opportunity to build the economy and generate jobs.
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Joan Jefferson is coordinator of the Florida Main Street program. Florida Main Street, encompassing 50 revived communities, is part of the Division of Historical Resources, Florida Department of State.
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