Incentives/Resources

On this page you will find a list of resources available to downtown business and property owners. If you want more in depth information about the Albany area, check out the Demographics and Market Analysis pages.

Albany Downtown Association (ADA)

250 Broadalbin
Albany, OR 97321
541-928-246
www.albanydowntown.com

The Albany Downtown Association (ADA) is a private non-profit organization dedicated to the revitalization of Albany’s downtown. The ADA efforts promote Downtown Albany as the heart of the community, strengthen the economic vitality by encouraging business diversity and enhance the unique physical characteristics of a National Register historic district. A cooperative advertising program, seasonal events, promotions and a parking district are all operated by the Albany Downtown Association to reinforce revitalization efforts. The Albany Downtown Association (ADA) is a strong advocate for businesses in the downtown core. The ADA is here to assist current and potential business and property owners. Resource organizations are:

Some of the events and projects the ADA sponsors throughout the year include: summer flower baskets, lighted snowflakes for the December holidays, Saturday Farmers Market, Crazy Days sidewalk sale, Moon Music street dance, Antiques and Art in the Streets, Women’s Wit and Wisdom Week, All-Hallows Eve, and the Linn County Veterans Day Celebration.

Rick Rogers is the current director of the Albany Downtown Association located in Two Rivers Market, 250 Broadalbin Street, 928-2469.

The Albany Visitors Association (AVA)

250 Broadalbin
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-928-0911 or 800- 526-2256
www.albanyvisitors.com

Albany Area Chamber of Commerce

435 1st Ave. W
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-926-1517
www.albanychamber.com

The Albany Chamber of Commerce enables business people to accomplish collectively, what no one business could do alone. It gives them a voice in civic affairs and politics, locally and nationally. Chamber members provide a united effort to improve the overall well being of the community.

Albany-Millersburg Economic Development Corporation

435 1st Ave. W
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-926-1517
www.albany-millersburg.com

AMEDC serves as the central point of contact for businesses interested in locating or expanding in the Albany and Millersburg area, and/or needing business development assistance. Serving as the liaison to business, AMEDC works with businesses, as they require. Access to permitting agencies at both the local and state levels provides business advocacy, demographic data, utility regulations, tariff data, industrial site information and participates in local, regional, and state programs and meetings as they impact the industrial community.

City of Albany

333 Broadalbin SW
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-917-7500
www.cityofalbany.net

Central Albany Revitalization Agency (CARA)

City of Albany Planning Department
333 Broadalbin SW
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-917-7550
www.cityofalbany.net/cara

CARA is Albany’s urban renewal district, formed in 2001. The agency uses tax increment financing to provide funding for project elements within the district. Downtown Albany is in the central core of the district, and has been identified as an early priority for funding.

CARA Key Objectives:

• Attract new private investment to the area.
• Retain and enhance the value of existing private investment and public investment in the area.

CARA Additional Objectives:

• Provide a safe and convenient transportation network that encourages pedestrian and bicycle access to and within the town center.
• Preserve the Historic Districts, historic resources and existing housing in the area.
• Create a readily identifiable core that is unique and vibrant with a mixture of entertainment, housing, specialty shops, offices, and other commercial uses.
• Increase residential density in the area.
• Encourage the development of new forms of housing and home ownership.
• Enhance and protect the community and environmental values of waterway corridors in the area.
• Provide an enriching environment and livable neighborhoods.

Albany Landmarks Advisory Commission

City of Albany Planning Department
333 Broadalbin SW
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-917-7550
www.cityofalbany.net/comdev/historic

Technical Assistance

Free technical assistance is available for any historic renovation or rehabilitation project through the Landmarks Advisory Commission The Albany Planning Division and the Landmarks Commission have access to state and national experts as well as technical information from the State Historic Preservation Office, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and many other resources including copies of preservation magazines and books on architectural styles. Prior to beginning any exterior renovation project that would change the appearance or character of the structure (including replacement windows, siding, porches, railings), please contact Anne Catlin at 917-7560

State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)

725 Summer St. NE, Suite C
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 986-0707
www.hcd.state.or.us/shpo

Oregon’s SHPO offers two tax incentive programs for historic properties:

• The Tax Reform Act of 1986, as amended provides a 20% income tax credit for the qualified rehabilitation of depreciable, income-producing, certified historic properties. The Federal Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit program is administered through State Historic Preservation Offices. Please click on the FHTC link above for more information about this federal program.
• In return for significant investments in historic rehabilitation on a National Register property, the Special Assessment of Historic Properties program offers a fifteen year “freeze” of its assessed value. Applications are accepted year-round. Dating from 1973, the program is the oldest of its kind in the country. Please click on the SAHP link above for more information about this state program.

State Historic Preservation Offices may make grants from their annual federal Historic Preservation Fund apportionments, or through state legislative appropriations. Grantees may use the federal funds to inventory historic properties, support local preservation programs, educate the public, prepare nominations to the National Register, and preserve National Register properties. State "Preserving Oregon" funds are earmarked for preservation and rehabilitation grants.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000.

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