New Markets Tax Credit Leaders Applaud 5-Year Extension of Community Development Tax Credit

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Late last night, Congressional leaders and the White House came to an agreement on a tax extender deal, which includes permanency for a few provisions and two- to five-year extension for other expired or expiring tax credits. The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) received a long-term extension of five years (2015-2019) at its current level of $3.5 billion annually.

"The federal New Markets Tax Credit has achieved great results since its implementation, creating nearly 750,000 jobs in economically distressed rural and urban communities and leveraging almost $75 billion in capital for businesses, and community services and facilities," said Bob Rapoza, spokesperson for the NMTC Coalition. "The strong bipartisan support for the federal NMTC in both the House and Senate is a testament to its success in delivering much needed investments for community revitalization projects."

Congressional champions also applauded the extension of the NMTC:

"The New Markets Tax Credit Program has a history of success nationwide and this extension is a huge step in the right direction. In Missouri, the NMTC has made a real difference in economically distressed communities, including financing for the first new grocery store in the Pagedale community in 40 years, expanding and helping improve the operation of a number of manufacturing businesses, and filling in the funding gap for the construction of 65 home ownership units in a St. Louis neighborhood with very high unemployment."

—Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), who introduced New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2015 (S. 591) on February 26, 2015, a bill which would make the NMTC permanent. Senator Blunt was the lead sponsor of a similar bill in the 113th Congress as well.

"This long-term extension of the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program is a major win for community revitalization, job creation, and economic development throughout New York State. The NMTC Program has already provided critical funding to important projects throughout New York, like the expansion of Roswell Park Cancer Institute's Clinical Sciences Center in downtown Buffalo. Now, with this five-year extension, communities from Rochester to Albany and New York City to Niagara Falls can continue to access this important financing tool for years to come."

—Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), who is the lead Democratic cosponsor on S.591.

"The New Markets Tax Credit has leveraged an unprecedented level of investment to low income communities, helping revitalize blighted areas with high levels of poverty and unemployment. In Maryland, I've seen it make a real difference, creating over 7,000 full-time jobs and more than 25,000 construction jobs over the past decade, all while expanding local business opportunities and community services. I am pleased to see the long-term extension for this credit, because the New Markets Tax Credit helps communities, helps people, and I am all for that."

—Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), who is an original and lead cosponsor of S. 591.

"The New Markets Tax Credit is a powerful tool that uses public-private partnerships to revitalize economically stressed areas and encourage job creation. In Ohio alone, the tax credit has helped create more than 30,000 construction jobs and 12,000 full-time jobs. I've seen first-hand the positive impact the projects financed through the NMTC program have in turning around struggling neighborhoods, and I am pleased that extending this tax credit means more communities will benefit."

—Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH), who introduced New Markets Tax Credit Extension Act of 2015 (H.R. 855) in the House on February 10, 2015, which would make the NMTC permanent.

"The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) spurs economic development, encourages private investment, and creates jobs. This important and popular initiative has generated more than $70 billion in capital for projects in economically stressed areas across the United States. It produces substantial investment in struggling communities that otherwise would be ignored. That is why I remain such an outspoken supporter of the program. In my opinion, extending the NMTC is a proven tool to help rebuild America and create jobs."

—Congressman Richard E. Neal (D-MA), who is the lead Democratic cosponsor on H.R. 855.

"We care about making sure smaller cities and rural areas, like the areas we represent, have access to the capital and investments necessary for their community and residents to thrive. It's only fair they have access to the resources they need and the NMTC is helping to fill this gap. Look no further than Hornell, New York to see the real and positive impacts this program can have right here in our back yard. With the support of local residents and businesses, the Y conducted a successful fundraising campaign, but they were still nearly $2 million short of the total project cost of $6.2 million. NMTC financing filled the gap, making the new facility a reality. We were glad to see the project get underway and hope there will be many more like it in the future."

—Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY), an original and lead cosponsor of H.R. 855.

More facts on the New Markets Tax Credit and the NMTC Coalition's work can be found on our website. For examples of projects by state, please visit the map of projects.

About New Markets Tax Credit Program

The New Markets Tax Credit was enacted in 2000 in an effort to stimulate private investment and economic growth in low income urban neighborhoods and rural communities that lack access to the patient capital needed to support and grow businesses, create jobs, and sustain healthy local economies. The NMTC is a 39 percent federal tax credit, taken over seven years, on investments made in economically distressed communities. Today due to NMTC, more than $70 billion is hard at work in underserved communities in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.NMTCCoalition.org.

Contact: Ayrianne Parks
[email protected] 
(202) 393-5225

SOURCE New Markets Tax Credit Coalition

Related Links

http://www.NMTCCoalition.org