Preserve Anderson County Heritage

02/11/2026

Calling all folks who understand the importance of financial incentives in preserving our architectural heritage. Piedmont Historical Preservation Society

📢 Advocacy Alert: Protect the SC Abandoned Building Tax Credit

On January 6, 2026, the SC Department of Revenue issued Revenue Ruling 26-1, changing how the state’s Abandoned Building Tax Credit will be interpreted starting June 1, 2026.

Since 2013, this one-of-a-kind South Carolina incentive has helped rehabilitate more than 2,200 vacant buildings, leveraged $96 million in tax credits, and revitalized communities across our state.

The new ruling would:
• Require buildings to have been income-producing before becoming abandoned
• Require extensive qualification details at the Notice of Intent stage
• Prevent transfer of Notices of Intent to new owners
• Exclude certain properties (state-owned, nonprofit-owned, former schools, churches, etc.)
• Allow tax credits to be used as collateral for debt

IN RESPONSE, Senators Davis and Hutto have introduced Bill 853 to clarify legislative intent and protect the program by:
• Removing the income-producing requirement
• Clarifying state-owned building eligibility
• Making local government certification of abandonment the final authority
• Prohibiting tax credits from being used as loan collateral

This tax credit fuels redevelopment, preserves historic structures, creates jobs, and brings new energy to properties statewide.

We join our partners across South Carolina in supporting Bill 853 to ensure this important revitalization tool remains strong.
📸: Savage Craft Ale Works, Columbia

10/03/2025

Saying goodbye to the Anderson Hardware building that flourished during the textile boom following the city's nickname as The Electric City. Another historical structure, previously owned at one point by Anderson University in Downtown Anderson passes. Is there anything the Anderson County Historical Society, Inc. or other concerned preservation groups can do?

09/15/2025

Why does the City of Anderson, SC - Local Government oppose incentives to rehabilitate our historic structures and were so eager to tear down the Anderson Hotel and Train Depot? Who are these leaders in Town of Pendleton Municipal Complex, South Carolina that advocated against the old pharmacy renovation incentives? Anderson County, S.C.

09/13/2025

These are a few of the incentives from the City of Anderson, SC - Local Government intended to provide assistance to developers and businesses that want to invest in Downtown Anderson. Compared to surrounding municipalities ( City of Abbeville and City of Greenville, South Carolina Government, we feel there is room for more transparency and increased support. More actionable policy, and less backroom discussions with pleasant forward facing statements.

09/13/2025

We welcome the Mayor and applaud his efforts to preserve our shared architectural heritage. Please join un in advocating for passage of The Bailey Bill, a policy intended to provide incentives to invest in rehabilitating historic structures. Anderson County is 1 of only a few in all of South Carolina that does not have an active historic preservation policy.

In the small, historic town of Pelzer, a quiet battle is being waged over its identity. At the heart of it are three aging structures, remnants of the town's mill history, that Mayor Will Ragland is fighting to save and restore. Ragland views their preservation not just as an act of historical stewa

09/13/2025

The Belton Area Museum celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Sunday by honoring those people, groups and businesses who have contributed to the city’s growth and history. Founded by concerned local citizens to preserve the rich local history, the museum’s mission encompasses genealogical, archival,...

09/07/2025

We strongly believe that the City of Anderson, SC - Local Government and Anderson County, S.C. need to work in partnership to provide our community with the tools necessary to preserve our historic architecture. If City of Abbeville can do it, so can we!

Did you know? The City of Abbeville, along with Abbeville County, adopted the Bailey Bill Historic Tax Incentive back in 2021. This incentive helps historic property owners reinvest into properties, bringing them back to life as contributing commercial/residential buildings, and helping to preserve them for future generations.

Pictured here is the John A. Harris House, a recipient of the Bailey Bill. The John A. Harris House is a historic home here in Abbeville which recently received final approval for their restoration project! Follow them on Instagram for more restoration updates!

Currently, several other Downtown Buildings and Historic Homes listed on the National Register are in the process of undergoing extensive renovations while benefitting from this incentive. The City of Abbeville is proud to support the revitalization of historic properties in our community!

For more information on the Bailey Bill, please visit the link below:
https://www.abbevillecitysc.com/431/Bailey-Bill-Incentive