Making the Case: Economic Impact Studies for Historic Preservation

Historic preservation delivers measurable economic benefits to communities, yet those benefits are not always clearly understood by elected officials, stakeholders, or the public. Economic Impact Studies (EIS) provide a powerful framework for quantifying the value of preservation, translating preservation outcomes into metrics such as jobs, tax revenue, tourism activity, neighborhood investment, and broader economic vitality. When used effectively, these studies can help preservation advocates and decision-makers demonstrate that protecting historic resources is not only culturally important, but also a sound economic strategy.
This webinar will explore how economic impact studies are designed, what kinds of insights they can reveal, and how communities have used them to strengthen preservation programs and inform policy decisions. This session will outline the key components of an EIS, discuss impactful findings across communities, and highlight examples of local governments or non-profits that have recently completed studies and successfully used the results to support planning initiatives, public outreach, and preservation decision-making.
Designed for local preservation staff, historic preservation commission members, planners, and allied professionals, this session will provide practical guidance on how economic impact studies can be used to communicate the tangible value of preservation and build broader support for preservation efforts at the local level.

1.5 AIA/AICP