BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana ranked second in the nation for completed federal historic tax credit projects in 2025, according to the National Park Service’s annual report on the Federal Tax Incentives for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings program.
The state recorded 94 completed project certifications approved by the National Park Service’s Technical Preservation Services division, placing Louisiana behind only New York in total projects for the year.
From 2021 through 2025, Louisiana consistently ranked among the top states for historic rehabilitation activity, with 419 historic buildings restored and returned to service during that period.
“These historic tax credits are one of the most powerful tools we have to preserve Louisiana’s unique heritage while driving real economic development in our communities,” said Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser. “From restoring historic main streets in small towns to revitalizing landmark buildings in our cities, this program attracts private investment, creates jobs, and ensures the places that define Louisiana’s culture and history remain vibrant and productive for generations to come.”
The Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program, commonly known as the Historic Tax Credit, provides a 20 percent federal tax credit to property owners who complete substantial rehabilitation of historic, income-producing buildings. The program is administered by the National Park Service in partnership with State Historic Preservation Offices.
Louisiana also operates a State Commercial Historic Tax Credit Program, established by the Legislature in 2002 and jointly administered by the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation and the Department of Revenue.
In 2023, lawmakers increased the state credit to 25 percent, with projects located in designated rural areas eligible for a 35 percent credit.
According to the 2025 report “Investing in Tomorrow by Preserving the Past: Louisiana’s Historic Tax Credit,” prepared by PlaceEconomics, historic tax credits generated more than $4.4 billion in investment in Louisiana historic buildings from 2017 through 2024. The investment reached 33 of the state’s 64 parishes.
The study also found that every $1 in state historic tax credits generates $5.38 in direct private investment, along with an additional $3.77 in indirect and induced economic activity.