History good for economy

RBC I A report that examines the impacts of historic preservation practices in Colorado found that historic preservation helps to build strong communities, support a healthy job market and a future for Colorado that is more environmentally sustainable. The Colorado Historical Foundation and History Colorado recently released “The Economic Power of Heritage and Place: How Historic Preservation is Building a Sustainable Future in Colorado.” The report was conducted by Clarion Associations.
The effort to gather information about the impacts of historic preservation practices in Colorado began in 1981. The report examines historic preservation activities that took place from 2005 to 2011 in the context of the 31-year research period.  The report found that historic preservation practices continue to generate jobs and economic impacts, as well as highlight the beneficial ties between historic preservation and environmental sustainability practices.
Key findings include:
n Since 1981, historic preservation projects in Colorado have created nearly 35,000 jobs and generated approximately $2.5 billion in direct and indirect economic impacts to Colorado’s economy.
n Every $1 million spent on the preservation of buildings in Colorado generates approximately 32 new jobs.
n Historic preservation projects help to enhance cultural vitality and identity, which in turn works to attract tourists and inspire community-based volunteerism.
n Environmental sustainability goals can be incorporated into historic preservation practices.
“The study found that historic preservation projects tend to be more labor-intensive than new building projects, requiring the services of more specialized architects, engineers, construction workers, suppliers and support staff,” said Matt Goebel, director of Clarion Associates and lead researcher for the report.
“This report was commissioned so that we could better understand the important role of historic preservation in the economy overall and an area’s economic health and well-being — from the neighborhood and community levels to the state as a whole,” said Lane Ittelson, executive director of the Colorado Historical Foundation.
“This report not only highlights the impact historic preservation has on Colorado’s economy, but also why historic preservation helps boost the vitality of a community through strengthening its sense of identity, opportunities for environmental sustainability and for heritage tourism,” said Ed Nichols, Colorado’s State Historic Preservation officer.