Ray, Ellis & LaBrie Consulting

05/15/2026

Advocacy Update: The Georgia Trust is deeply disappointed by Governor Kemp’s veto of HB 376, legislation that would have strengthened Georgia’s state Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit program.

Since 2020 alone, the HRTC has generated more than $1 billion in private investment across Georgia, creating jobs, housing, and new life for historic buildings in communities statewide.

Projects like the redevelopment of the historic Jones (pictured), Green, and Walker buildings at Central State Hospital in Milledgeville are just one example of those that would have benefitted from the transformative impact of these incentives.

“While cutting income taxes may be a popular initiative, it can have unintended consequences for tax credit programs like the HRTC,” said W. Wright Mitchell, President & CEO of the Georgia Trust. “The state must identify alternative ways to incentivize developers and owners of historic properties to revitalize Georgia’s historic resources.”

Historic preservation is economic development, community revitalization, and stewardship of the places that define Georgia’s story. We remain committed to advocating for the tools needed to preserve and reuse Georgia’s historic resources for generations to come.

Photo: Halston Pitman/Motor Sport Media.

05/12/2026

It is truly disheartening to hear about the veto of House Bill 376. See the emails below from our lobbyist and the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. Given that the bill was to be signed this year, the 250th anniversary of the founding of our country, you would have expected a bill that would help ensure our heritage for future generations would be safe. Especially, a bill that passed the House 161-9 and the Senate 46-2. The governor's veto is a significant blow to the momentum of revitalization projects across Georgia, especially given their strong ROI, which offset any shortfall in lost tax revenue.

Good news — we still have the 20% Federal Historic Tax Credit, the State Preferential Property Tax Assessment Freeze, and the Preservation Alliance of Georgia (PAG). The PAG is our Political Action Committee that can raise funds to educate representatives on why historic preservation matters and to keep reminding them year-round. Please consider donating to them so that we can hit next year’s session running.
Checks may be sent to:
Preservation Alliance of Georgia, Inc.
c/o Ben Sutton
1516 Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
The work of the Preservation Alliance of Georgia is more critical than ever now to ensure that representatives understand that historic preservation is not just about "old buildings” – it's a proven economic engine.

05/03/2026

04/27/2026

https://www.georgiatrust.org/preservation-awards/brian-labrie/

Brian has worked professionally in historic preservation planning since graduating from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2001. Since 2015, he has been a co-owner of Ray, Ellis & LaBrie Consulting, with […]

03/18/2026

House Bill 376 passed the Georgia Senate 46 to 2! Our Historic Tax Credit program is alive again!

03/17/2026

https://pluralpolicy.com/find-your-legislator/...
Great news! House Bill 376 will be heard in the Georgia Senate tomorrow! This bill will improve the state Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit by making it available to more projects across the state. Please reach out to your state senator TODAY and urge them to support historic preservation in Georgia by supporting HB 376.
FIND YOUR STATE SENATOR
Sample email or phone message:
Hello,
I’m contacting you to ask for your favorable consideration of HB 376 in the Georgia Senate. This bill strengthens incentives for historic preservation and economic development in Georgia. HB 376 improves the Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit, helping more communities attract investment and spur revitalization while saving historic buildings and community landmarks. The HRTC program drives direct private investment into Georgia's communities, with over $1,000,000,000 dollars invested in completed projects since 2020. According to the most recent audit report, for every dollar of incentive, over $3 in economic growth is returned to the state.
The HRTC program has breathed new life into mill complexes, commercial blocks, and main streets across the state. Passing HB 376 will send a clear signal that Georgia views our past as an asset for our future.
I respectfully ask that you vote in favor of HB 376 in the Senate tomorrow.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]

03/06/2026

Congratulations to Lill Mill Lofts, who had their grand opening today!

03/06/2026

Just a quick note that we have been assigned to the Economic Development & Tourism Committee in the GA Senate! Give ourselves a congratulatory pat on the back.

This is good, but it is not smooth sailing unless we maintain our pressure on Senators and House members until it is voted on by this committee, placed on the calendar by the Rules Committee, and then voted on by the Senate. This all MUST happen by the end of the session on 4/2/26.

As folks are aware, some changes have been made to benefit rural Georgia (counties with fewer than 50,000 residents). A quick review of those changes:
1) Raise annual caps to $60 million through 2029.
2) Maintain a 25% credit for all tax credits allocated prior to Jan. 1, 2026.
3) Increase the credit to 30% for projects in counties with a population of less than 50K.
4) Decrease the credit to 20% for all other projects.
5) Per project cap of $5M remains unchanged

Keep the pressure up on the following Senators and your project’s representatives. If you have connections with these senators, please CALLthem.
Jason Anavitarte (Senate District 31 – Paulding and Polk Counties) https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/4980?session=1033
Lee Anderson (Senate District 24 – Hart, Elbert, Oglethorpe, Greene, Wilkes, Lincoln & Columbia Counties) https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/723?session=1033
Max Burns (Senate District 23 – Taliaferro, Warren, McDuffie, Glascock, Jefferson, Emanuel, Burke, Jenkins & Screven Counties) https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/4979?session=1033
Clint Dixon (Senate District 45 – Gwinnett & Barrow Counties) https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/4982?session=1033
Drew Echols (Senate District 49 – Hall Counties) https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/5067?session=1033
Russ Goodman (Senate District 8 – Lowndes, Lanier, Echols, Clinch, Atkinson & Pierce Counties) https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/4977?session=1033
Billy Hickman (Senate District 4 – Candler, Evans, Bulloch & Effingham Counties) https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/4972?session=1033
Mike Hodges (Senate District 3 – Ware, Charlton, Brantley, Camden, Glynn & McIntosh Counties) https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/5013?session=1033
Ed Harbison (Senate District 15 – Talbot, Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley, Macon & Taylor Counties) https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/17?session=1033
Sonya Halpern (Senate District 39 – Fulton County) https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/4985?session=1033
Harold Jones (Senate District 22 – Richmond County) https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/851?session=1033
Derek Mallow (Senate District 2 – Chatham County) https://www.legis.ga.gov/members/senate/5007?session=1033

The message is simple: This program has been an economic catalyst for communities around the state, and that committee approved an HRTC bill in 2025. While this bill addresses a tax credit program, the Senate study committee on Tourism, chaired by Drew Echols, highlighted the importance of historic rehabilitation. The authenticity of historic buildings adds to the appeal of hotels and retail establishments frequented by visitors. Revitalized structures add to the workforce housing supply.

Georgia General Assembly, is one of the largest state legislatures in the nation. The General Assembly consists of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

01/20/2026

where in this skyline photo do you think is the next Ray, Ellis & LaBrie project? Here’s a hint. It’s over 1,000,000 ft.².

06/27/2025

Yes, FY 2025 Funds are still being withheld. Soon review required by law will cease or be significantly reduced. How will this affect you?

You want to renovate using Historic Tax Credits? Those projects won't get reviewed without this release of funding, and funding for FY 2026.

You want affordable housing? Those projects won't get reviewed without this release of funding, and funding for FY 2026.