Ottawa business owners get invite to hear how state, federal historic tax credits work

Ottawa Mayor Robb Hasty passed along an invitation to downtown historic building owners from Director of Economic and Community Development Dave Noble, to join an event that will feature Darius Bryjka of the Illinois State Historic Preservation Office.

At the event at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, at the City Council chambers, Bryjka will be explaining how state and federal historic tax credits work.

The state in 2024 passed legislation that will allow Ottawa to create a Rivers Edge Recovery Zone, an area like an enterprise zone that provides extra benefits for the community. One of those benefits is a 25% state historic tax credit, which can be coupled with a 20% federal historic tax credit to provide funds for renovations to historic structures.

Establishing an RERZ in Ottawa would make it just the sixth in the State of Illinois, along with Aurora, East St. Louis, Elgin, Peoria and Rockford. Ottawa’s initial focus will be contributing to historic structures within the Downtown Commercial Historic District.

Hasty said that previously, there had been a limited amount of credits handed out based on need, but now there are more funds available for all projects.

“As long as you apply for it and qualify, you can get it,” Hasty said.

For more information on the event, contact Noble at 815-433-0161 ext. 220 or Tami Koppen at ext. 240.

In other action, the council:

Authorized an intergovernmental agreement with La Salle County regarding the seal coating of various city streets.

Authorized a master professional services agreement with Deckard Technologies for short-term software rental.

Authorized an employment agreement appointing Brian Benavides as a part-time electrical inspector.