Senator Mike Hodges
This year we present the award jointly to Georgia Representative Scott Hilton and Senator Mike Hodges.
Since 2002, Georgia’s Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit has been one of the state’s most effective tools for revitalizing communities, driving more than $1 billion in private investment in historic buildings across Georgia. In recent years, however, the program faced a critical challenge: with annual credits capped at $30 million and fully allocated through 2029, the program was effectively dead.
Thanks to the leadership of Representative Scott Hilton and Senator Mike Hodges, House Bill 376 successfully addressed this issue during this year’s session, doubling the annual cap and creating $120 million in new credits through 2029. Their efforts required strong collaboration, strategic advocacy, and a clear understanding of preservation’s economic impact.
This achievement ensures the continued utilization of Georgia’s most effective tool for preservation and community development, supporting towns and cities in every corner of the state and reinforcing the value of investing in historic places.
The Senator George Hooks Award recognizes excellence in public leadership in Georgia. This award is given at the discretion of the Board of Trustees and is named in honor of Senator George Hooks, a strong supporter of the preservation of Georgia’s history and culture, who served in the Georgia General Assembly for 32 years.