Alabama's Largest Cities Push to Extend Historic Rehab Tax Credit

Mayors of Alabama's 10 biggest cities unite to save program that turns vacant buildings into economic engines

Mar. 22, 2026 at 8:49am

The mayors of Alabama's 10 largest cities, known as the Alabama Big 10 Mayors, have thrown their collective weight behind legislation to extend and expand the state's historic rehabilitation tax credit program, which is currently set to expire at the end of 2027. The program has been credited with turning vacant buildings into economic engines for communities across the state.

Why it matters

The historic rehabilitation tax credit program has been a crucial tool for revitalizing downtowns and neighborhoods in Alabama's biggest cities. As the program nears its expiration date, the state's mayors are banding together to push for an extension, recognizing the important role it plays in driving economic development and preserving the state's architectural heritage.

The details

The Alabama Big 10 Mayors, a nonpartisan coalition representing the state's 10 largest cities, are advocating for legislation to extend and expand the historic rehabilitation tax credit program. The program provides tax credits to developers who restore historic buildings, incentivizing investment in vacant and underutilized properties. Over the years, the program has been credited with transforming downtowns and neighborhoods across the state, turning once-abandoned buildings into economic engines.

  • The historic rehabilitation tax credit program is currently set to expire at the end of 2027.
  • The Alabama Big 10 Mayors are pushing for legislation to extend and expand the program during the current legislative session.

The players

Alabama Big 10 Mayors

A nonpartisan coalition representing the mayors of Alabama's 10 largest cities: Huntsville, Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Hoover, Dothan, Birmingham, Auburn, Decatur, Montgomery, and Madison.

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What’s next

The legislation to extend and expand the historic rehabilitation tax credit program is currently being considered by the Alabama Legislature. If passed, it would ensure the program continues to drive economic development and historic preservation in the state's largest cities.

The takeaway

The unified effort by Alabama's Big 10 Mayors to save the historic rehabilitation tax credit program underscores the program's importance as a catalyst for revitalizing downtowns and neighborhoods across the state. As the program nears its expiration, this bipartisan coalition is working to ensure it remains a valuable tool for driving economic growth and preserving Alabama's architectural heritage.