Virginia ranks 2nd in historic restoration
The state earns high marks from the National Park Service for its program for the second year in a row.

BY Victor Relaitis

For the second year in a row, the National Park Service has ranked Virginia second among the 50 states for using federal tax breaks to restore historic buildings.

"This report from the National Park Service reinforces the fact that Virginia has a strong, well-managed historic preservation program that attracts market-driven, private investment," Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Thursday in a news release.

More than $172 million in private money statewide was leveraged through rehabilitation projects completed and certified by the park service during fiscal year 2006, the governor's office said. That's an increase of $43 million over the previous year.

Virginia had 114 proposed federal tax-credit projects and 109 completed projects. Only Missouri had more proposed projects, according to the park service's report.

The governor's office said it announced the state's ranking Thursday in recognition of May as National Preservation Month.

Virginia ranks 2nd in historic restoration The state earns high marks from the National Park Service for its program for the second year in a row.

Virginia ranks 2nd in historic restoration
The state earns high marks from the National Park Service for its program for the second year in a row.