STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICES
FY2016 REQUEST: $60 million for State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs) for
heritage preservation and protection programs that create jobs, generate
economic development, and spurs community revitalization. Includes $10 million for
competitive grants to find and document America’s historic resources. Current
funding level is $46.925 million. President’s Request is $46.925 million.
The National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470), states “the preservation of our
irreplaceable heritage is in the public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, aesthetic,
inspirational, economic, and energy benefits will be maintained and enriched for future generations of
Americans.”
State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs) are a key
component of the national historic preservation
program. Established in 1966 by the National Historic
Preservation Act, SHPOs administer federal programs
at the state and local levels and also administer their
own State historic preservation programs. These
programs help communities identify, evaluate,
preserve, and revitalize their historic, archeological
and cultural resources. SHPOs also work with federal
agencies, state and local governments, the public
and educational and not-for-profit organizations to
raise historic preservation awareness and to instill in
Americans a sense of pride in their unique history.
This awareness builds communities, encourages
heritage tourism, increases economic development
and brings a local voice to federal decision-making.
Chart courtesy of the National Park Service
QUICK FACTS

The Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), created in
1976, provides funding to State and Tribal
Historic Preservation Offices.

States provide a 40% match to the federal
funding.

Since inception, the Rehabilitation Tax Credit
Program, administered primarily by SHPOs, has
leveraged $4.32 billion in private investment
and created 2.49 million jobs.*


Working under 30 day deadlines, last year
SHPOs reviewed and commented on nearly
103,000 federal undertakings.**
Through the work of SHPOs and the National
Park Service, last year 1,030 new listings were
added to the National Register of Historic
Places.

More than 1 million Americans live in National
Register houses in virtually every county.**

There are 1,895 Certified Local Governments
(CLG’s).** Ten percent of the SHPO HPF total is
passed through to CLGs.

In 2013, SHPOs surveyed approximately 16.5
million acres for cultural resources.**

Nearly half of the nation’s historic resource
records are only available in paper/map
formats.

Over 70% of States have more than 10,000
resources in need of re-survey with the
numbers growing exponentially each year.

95% of States report that lack of digital records
hampers their ability to efficiently conduct
project reviews.
* FY14 Update to the Annual Report on the Economic Impact of the Federal Historic Tax Credit, National Park Service and Rutgers University.
** 2014 Historic Preservation Fund annual report, National Park Service.
Preservation Action/202-463-0970  National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers/202-624-5465  American Cultural Resources Association/202.567.7594
National Trust for Historic Preservation/202-588-6000  National Trust Community Investment Corporation/202-588-6049  Historic Tax Credit Coalition/202.567.2900
National Association of Tribal Historic Preservation Officers/202-628-8476  National Alliance of Preservation Commissions/706-542-0169