NORFOLK, Neb. — The McMill building has always been a part of Nancy Brozek’s life.
 

“Before my husband and I were even married, we had to walk by here to go to the movie theater and I saw Abe, which is the eagle out front," Brozek said. "I said, ‘Someday I’m going to work there.’”

Decades later, she is a co-owner of the historic site, which operated as the post office in Norfolk until the 1970s.

With efforts to conduct business out of a building originally constructed in 1903, there were many updates done to restore the site.

What was once a post office and courthouse is now occupied by several businesses.

That was made possible with historic tax credits.

“They’re historic buildings," said historic tax credit coordinator Michael Sothan. "We want to respect that history but we also want to be able to help these buildings be rehabbed to serve modern purposes.”

The stop in Norfolk is part of History Nebraska’s Rehab Roadshow showcasing projects in the state that have used the tax credits to make updates to their buildings.

The program provides a state income tax credit of 30% to rural areas and 25% in urban areas.

After the legislative session last year, the program saw an increase to $2 million available for projects.

According to Sothan, needs in the program mean about $50 million in the credit pool may only last a few years.

“We know that the demand for historic projects like this is certainly going to outweigh the amount of resources that are currently being put into the historic tax credit program," Sothan said.

Without help from the federal and state government, the McMill building may not stand in Norfolk today.

“It’s possible we could have gone a different route," Brozek said. "We actually looked at having another building or buildings for our businesses.”

Instead, the over 100-year-old building stands just off Norfolk Ave., and Brozek said the building will continue to make updates as needed.

The Federal Historic Tax Credits have helped fund over 100 projects throughout Nebraska.