The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) is honored to have played a crucial part in the financing of the $85 million adaptive reuse of the historic Wilkins Rogers Mill complex in Ellicott City, Maryland. Spearheaded by Terra Nova Ventures with Alexander Design Studio as the architect and Southway Builders as the general contractor, the Ellicott Mill project will transform the long-dormant industrial site into a dynamic mixed-use community featuring 190 residential apartments, a restaurant space overlooking the Patapsco River, and ground floor retail space, while preserving one of Maryland’s most significant industrial heritage landmarks.

Originally established in 1774 by the Ellicott brothers, the mill was the first commercial flour producer in Maryland and a regional pioneer in industrial automation. It helped catalyze Baltimore’s rise as a leading flour export hub. Through multiple owners, including the Gambrill family, the Doughnut Corporation of America, and finally the Wilkins Rogers Company, the site has remained a cornerstone of the area’s industrial identity for over two centuries. The mill officially ceased operations in 2020, opening the door to a visionary redevelopment that honors its rich past.

 

“NTCIC is honored to have played a pivotal role in the financial closing of the Ellicott Mill redevelopment. This unique investment reflects our commitment to preserving historic assets through multiple forms of strategic financing that foster economic development and community revitalization.” 

  • Amanda Bloomberg
  • Senior Acquisitions Manager

NT Impact Capital provided a $7 million bridge loan to assist in financing the project, marking NTCIC’s newest subsidiary’s first official investment. NTCIC supported the revitalization through an equity investment in the $10 million in Federal Historic Tax Credits generated by the project, along with $3 million in State Historic Tax Credits. NTCIC served as the Federal and State HTC sourcer, underwriter, and closer, as well as the Federal HTC fund manager and Federal and State HTC asset manager. 

The redevelopment will preserve the architectural integrity of the complex, which includes the main mill building, nine historic silos, a boiler house, and an attached machine shop. The three-story warehouse will receive a two-story new construction addition approved by the National Park Service, further blending history with modern design. 

“This is one of the most exciting and impactful projects I have been associated with over my nearly 50-year development career, with its deep historic roots, its association with the American Industrial Revolution and the first railroad in the nation, and the contribution that the transformation of this historic high-rise former flour mill makes to the community.”

  • David Tufaro
  • Founder & Principal of Terra Nova Ventures

Located on the main thoroughfare and within walking distance of downtown Ellicott City, Ellicott Mill offers convenient access to both Baltimore and Washington, DC. The project promises to become a landmark example of how historic preservation and smart growth can work together to serve community for generations to come. 

Learn more about the Ellicott Mill development here.

In 2025, we celebrated 25 years of investment and impact. To document that important milestone, we worked together with our staff, board, project partners, and many others to create a 25th Anniversary Retrospective, looking back at the journey that shaped who we are today. The report reflects on our founding vision and highlights a quarter-century of investment, leadership, and dedication to strengthening communities. It’s a story not just about how far we’ve come, but about where our mission will take us over the next 25 years.

“At its heart, this book is about the everyday ways our team lives out the principles that shape and differentiate us: Sustainability, Purpose, Innovation, Resilience, Inclusion, and Togetherness— our SPIRIT.”

  • David G. Clower
  • NTCIC President & CEO

Inside the retrospective, you’ll find a selection of standout projects, quotes from valued team members, reflections from our past and present leadership, and so much more. These highlights offer a clear reminder that our efforts have made a real difference in the communities we serve. Ultimately the report is not just a showcase of our accomplishments, but a tangible demonstration that, like our CEO David Clower said, “Our legacy will not be defined solely by financial results or the projects we finance, but by the enduring hope, opportunity, and resilience that we help communities realize.”

We invite you to explore the full report to see the impact for yourself and join us in celebrating everything we’ve helped build together and everything still to come.

Upcoming Events:

[EVENT FULL] National Historic Preservation Advocacy Week: March 2-5, 2026

Hosted by Preservation Action and the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, Advocacy Week 2026 will feature new in-depth preservation policy trainings and briefings, member and partner meetings, exciting tours, networking opportunities, and of course congressional office visits.

Hear from NTCIC’s own Mike Phillips and learn how to best advocate for the historic tax credit.

Your advocacy has an impact! This is a critical time for historic preservation, and we need your voice as we advocate for the critical programs and policies the help preserve our nation’s historic resources.

Click here to view Preservation Action’s Advocacy Week 2026 Digital Materials

Learn More and Sign Up for the Waitlist Below

Past Updates:

Advocating for HTC-GO in 2025

As Congress prepares for a major tax policy overhaul in 2025, the urgency to address expiring tax provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increases. Despite delays, the upcoming legislative session will be crucial for major tax decisions affecting individuals and corporations.

This year, we are thrilled to join our advocacy partners in several upcoming HTC advocacy events and opportunities to learn more about state historic preservation incentives and priorities. These events will provide you with the latest information on the HTC legislation and equip you with the necessary knowledge to engage with legislators and advocate for the bill’s passage.

Get ready to be inspired, informed, and energized as we work together to secure crucial support for this initiative. Don’t miss out on the chance to refresh your knowledge and align your talking points as we embark on this exciting journey toward historic preservation. Let’s make history together by supporting this critical piece of legislation!

Washington, D.C., January 6, 2026—The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) is pleased to announce that Kimberly Laird has joined our leadership team as Director of Asset Management. Kimberly will lead the Asset Management department, overseeing the direct management of NTCIC’s Historic Tax Credit (HTC) and New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) investments, as well as our growing private credit portfolio. Her responsibilities include financial oversight, risk management, and compliance to ensure the long-term success of our investments and the communities they serve.

A Proven Leader in Community Development Finance

With more than 25 years of experience in community development banking, Kimberly has managed over $1 billion in equity and debt transactions across HTC, NMTC, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) programs. Her career began at Wachovia Capital Markets Group, where she managed the Southeastern asset management team focused on LIHTC investments. She later advanced to Bank of America as a Senior Vice President, overseeing asset management for Historic, New Markets, and Renewable Energy tax credit investments. Most recently, Kimberly served as Credit Risk Manager in Community Investment Capital at Synovus Bank, a regional institution headquartered in Georgia.

“Kimberly’s experience and values align with NTCIC’s commitment to preservation, equity, and performance,” said David Clower, President & CEO of NTCIC. “She will help us scale our impact while safeguarding the integrity of every investment we steward.”

Commitment to Community and Impact

Kimberly earned her B.S. in Accounting from The University of Kentucky and remains deeply engaged in community advocacy through her work with The Redress Movement in Charlotte, NC, and the NC Housing Coalition. Outside of work, she enjoys yoga, cooking, and spending time with her two sons.

“Asset management is the backbone of NTCIC’s mission to deliver transformational capital investments in underserved communities,” said Bret Mosher, Managing Director of Credit & Portfolio Management. “Kimberly’s expertise strengthens our ability to safeguard investor confidence while driving measurable social and economic outcomes nationwide.”

Please join us in welcoming Kimberly to NTCIC!

Connect with Kimberly Laird on Linkedin

About NTCIC

The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC), a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, is a mission-driven, impact investment asset management firm focused on the adaptive reuse of historic properties and renewable energy solutions across the country. Founded in 2000, NTCIC makes transformational impact investments in low-income & disinvested communities, promoting a brighter, more equitable future by revitalizing historic properties and expanding our nation’s renewable energy accessibility through innovative community development & tax credit investment strategies.

WASHINGTON, DC, January 5, 2026: The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) is pleased to announce that we have been awarded $70 million in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation authority by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund).

With this award, NTCIC will deploy our preservation-based community investment strategy to save and repurpose old, underutilized buildings across the country to spur economic growth and support vibrant communities. We will prioritize our NMTC allocation to projects that:

  • Rehabilitate historic buildings in Deep Distress communities;
  • Create economic stability by creating or retaining quality jobs that are accessible to low-income individuals; and
  • Deliver a broad range of critical community services such as daycare, education, workforce training, healthcare, arts programming, and multi-service support to address the needs of underinvested communities and foster economic opportunity, stability, and revitalization.

Click below to submit your NMTC-eligible project for consideration.

We also want to congratulate our fellow awardees and look forward to working with partners across the country to support underinvested communities that need access to capital to bring new life to historic community assets.

NTCIC’s History of Impactful Investments

Since the inception of the NMTC program in 2000, NTCIC has deployed $729 million in NMTC allocation across 112 high-impact rehabilitations. These projects have created over 38,000 permanent and construction-related jobs, provided over 2,270 units of housing, and revitalized over 13.5 million square feet of historic buildings. On an annual basis, our investments in health care, education, business incubation, and community service facilities currently support over 198,000 low-income community residents.

To learn more about our New Markets Tax Credit investment process, click here.

About the New Markets Tax Credit

On December 23, the CDFI Fund awarded $10 billion in allocation authority for the calendar year 2024-2025 round of the New Markets Tax Credit Program (NMTC Program) to 142 Community Development Entities (CDEs). This is the largest allocation in the program’s history and will stimulate economic growth and empower private-sector investment in distressed communities.

This year’s $10 billion award will drive private investment into communities that lack access to capital, especially in rural America, and is expected to accelerate job creation in sectors such as manufacturing and small business. The NMTC Program will leverage billions more in private capital, multiplying the impact of federal investment, and will support critical infrastructure, business financing, and community facilities, including rural hospitals and health care facilities.

The NMTC Program advances economic development in economically distressed communities by making tax credit allocations available to CDEs for targeted investments in eligible areas. The Program was recently made a permanent part of the U.S. tax code through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

Over its history, the NMTC Program has facilitated $77 billion in qualified equity investment and $143 billion in total development financing across more than 8,900 urban, suburban, and rural low-income community businesses. These investments have created more than 1.2 million jobs nationwide.

Washington, D.C. — December 22, 2025NT Solar, a subsidiary of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC), announces that Karin Berry, Managing Director, will retire at the end of the year. Paul Holshouser, currently Director of Solar Transactions, will step into the leadership role starting on January 1st, continuing NT Solar’s mission to deliver impactful renewable energy investments.

Celebrating Karin Berry’s Legacy

Karin Berry has been a major player in the renewable energy space for over 30 years, with experience spanning international energy policy, government service, and private sector investment. Before joining NT Solar, Karin advanced clean energy initiatives in the public sector, including her work at the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, where she focused on international energy policy and government service. She later held leadership roles at PNC Energy Capital and Guggenheim Capital Markets, helping drive the adoption of renewable technologies and innovative investment strategies across diverse markets.

During her tenure as the inaugural Managing Director of NT Solar, Karin Berry led origination, structuring, and closing of renewable energy tax credit investments, building deep relationships with investors and developers nationwide. Her leadership helped expand NT Solar’s reach and reputation, and she leaves a legacy of integrity, innovation, and community impact. Since joining NT Solar in 2015, she has overseen solar tax credit investments and managed a rapidly growing portfolio of renewable projects, responsible for over $1 billion in tax credit investments.

Reflecting on her transition, Karin Berry shared, “I will miss the NTCIC team and our all-in commitment to delivering community benefit.  Of course, I’ll still be doing what I can to support this community in my retired life!”

Paul Holshouser Named Director of NT Solar

Paul Holshouser brings more than 15 years of experience in wind and solar energy, with a background in project finance, business development, and energy policy. Since joining NT Solar in 2024 as Director of Solar Transactions, he has managed closings and fundings for renewable energy tax credit investments, working closely with investor and developer partners. Prior to joining NT Solar, Paul led finance at Distributed Sun and served as a tax policy specialist at the American Wind Energy Association.

“I am honored and excited to carry forward NT Solar’s legacy—serving investors by delivering strong returns and lasting community benefits,” said Paul. “Karin built a platform at NT Solar that is poised for continued success and industry leadership.  It is our dedication to superior customer service that will continue to satisfy investors and developers alike.

“Karin’s vision and dedication have shaped NT Solar into a trusted partner for investors and developers. We are grateful for her leadership and excited to welcome Paul as NT Solar’s new Director. His expertise and energy will guide NT Solar into its next chapter,” said David Clower, President & CEO of NTCIC.

About NT Solar

NT Solar, an affiliate and wholly owned subsidiary of NTCIC, is a leading national investment service provider, directing capital to solar and storage projects that power local communities. The team provides end-to-end support, from sourcing and diligence through closing and ongoing reporting, leveraging Renewable Energy credits to advance environmental progress and economic opportunity.

The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) is proud to announce our successful closing of financing for the redevelopment of the historic Chicora Graded School in North Charleston, South Carolina. The $37.7 million project will transform the historic and long‑vacant public school building into Cristo Rey, a new college‑preparatory high school serving exclusively low‑income students from across the Charleston region. NTCIC provided $4 million in New Markets Tax Credit allocation as well as an equity investment in the $5.5 million federal and $2.75 million South Carolina Historic Tax Credits generated by the rehabilitation. The redevelopment also will utilize $2.8MM of South Carolina’s State Abandoned Building Tax Credits. 

Originally constructed in 1935, the Chicora Graded School served the Chicora Cherokee neighborhood, a community historically tied to employment at the Charleston Navy Yard. For decades, the building functioned as a public elementary school, first as a segregated school for white students and later as a more integrated neighborhood school. The campus expanded multiple times between 1938 and 1955, adding classrooms, an auditorium, a cafeteria, and administrative space. Following the closure of the Navy Yard in 1996, the surrounding area experienced significant economic decline and by 2011, the school faced substantial deferred maintenance ultimately leading to its closure.

“NTCIC was thrilled to have the chance to be a part of financing Cristo Rey High School in North Charleston. This school will give students access to a college prep education while giving them valuable work experience and will play a key role in Metanoia’s mission to serve existing residents of North Charleston, which is experiencing rapid growth and gentrification.”

  • Tony Maruca
  • Senior Project Manager

Upon completion, the former Chicora Graded School will reopen as Cristo Rey High School, a college-preparatory high school designed to serve up to 400 students, all from low‑income households. The school will combine rigorous academics with Cristo Rey’s signature corporate work‑study model, which provides students with paid professional experience, mentorship, and exposure to career pathways while offsetting the cost of tuition. The rehabilitated facility will include modern classrooms, administrative offices, science and technology labs, a cafeteria and commercial kitchen, assembly and gathering spaces, and outdoor areas designed to support both academic instruction and workforce development programming. 

This historic school campus has been the heartbeat of the community for years and we are very excited to be renovating it as a place of opportunity for families in Chicora and beyond to build on their own strengths and release their brilliance.”

  • Rev. Bill Stanfield
  • CEO of Metanoia

This project has the potential to create meaningful change in one of North Charleston’s most economically distressed neighborhoods. Within the Chicora neighborhood, nearly 40% of residents live in poverty, local schools have historically been underfunded, and graduation and college‑completion rates for students of color in the area lag significantly behind state and regional averages. By reactivating a long‑vacant neighborhood building and expanding access to high‑quality education, the redevelopment strengthens workforce readiness and supports long‑term economic mobility for students and families across the region.  

“A school is a promise,” Rev. Stanfield said. “It’s a promise to a community and a promise to its young people.” 

Learn more about Cristo Rey here.

The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) is proud to announce the successful financial closing of the historic Tower Life Building, formerly known as the Smith-Young Tower, in downtown San Antonio. The $125 million project will transform the iconic building into 242 apartment residences, along with retail spaces on the street and river levels, providing housing and neighborhood vibrancy to the heart of the city.

Designed by renowned architects Atlee Ayres and Robert Ayres, the Tower Life Building was one of the many key structures in San Antonio’s urban development. The father-son duo was instrumental in designing several prominent buildings, including the Municipal Auditorium, Plaza Hotel, and the Federal Reserve Bank.

The building first housed businesses, professionals, and San Antonio’s first Sears, Roebuck and Company department store. Its unique history also includes being a mooring mast for a blimp, a performance venue for aerialists, and even the headquarters for the Third U.S. Army.

The revitalization project, brought to life by McCombs Enterprises, J Jeffers and Co., and many others, will transform the Tower Life Building into a lively mixed-use space that blends the historic charm of the building with modern amenities in the 242 apartments, a portion of which will be offered with affordable rents for qualifying residents.

“We are committed to creating a place that inspires hometown pride and invites new energy into our downtown,” says Jon Wiegand, Managing Director of Real Estate at McCombs Enterprises. “We welcome a community that reflects the cultural diversity of San Antonio. A portion of the building’s apartments will be offered with affordable rents to provide homes for artists, teachers, restaurateurs, nurses, first responders, and others whose life stories make up the fabric of our city.”

The renovation plans include state-of-the-art amenities, such as an outdoor patio deck, community space, and a fitness center, designed specifically for residents. Additionally, an adjacent parking garage will serve both residents and commercial tenants. The building, which was once the tallest structure in San Antonio until 1968, remains the tallest 8-sided building in the U.S., continuing its legacy as a focal point in the city’s skyline.

This revitalization was supported, in part, by NTCIC through an equity investment in the $16.8 million Federal Historic Tax Credits and $21 million State Historic Tax Credits generated by the project. NTCIC played a crucial role in the capital stack and will continue to collaborate with the development team to ensure the project’s success.

“Our team was pleased to partner with J. Jeffers on yet another exciting and impactful redevelopment”, says Amanda Bloomberg of NTCIC.  “The Tower Life Building is an iconic feature of the San Antonio skyline, and we’re thrilled to be a part of bringing new life to one of the Alamo City’s most historic buildings.”

The newly revitalized Tower Life Building will not only provide much-needed housing in the heart of the city but also offer retail space, further contributing to the growth, vibrancy, and development of San Antonio’s downtown and river district.

Learn more about NTCIC’s involvement in the project here.

WASHINGTON, DC, September 10, 2025: NT Solar is proud to announce the closing of a 1.36 MW community solar project in Eastport, Maine, in partnership with Prometheus Power Group. The project is expected to generate approximately 1.78 million kWh annually, providing clean and affordable energy to local residents and businesses. NT Solar arranged a tax equity investment in the $3.3 million in Solar Investment Tax Credits (ITC) generated by the development of the solar site. This marks NT Solar’s ninth collaboration with PeoplesBank, a long-time NT Solar partner, bringing their total investment to over $21 million.

“This investment with Prometheus Power Group reflects NT Solar’s commitment to expanding access to clean energy for people across the country,” said Karin Berry, Managing Director of NT Solar. “We’re especially proud to support a project bringing renewable energy at a discount to Maine’s rural residents.”

The Eastport project will serve a mix of residential and commercial subscribers through Maine’s Community Solar program, offering a 15% fixed discount on all allocated bill credits. The project also qualifies for the 10% Domestic Content adder under the Inflation Reduction Act, supporting U.S.-based manufacturing by utilizing domestically manufactured panels. The energy generated by this project will make a meaningful impact for Maine’s rural residents and small businesses.

The 1.36 MW installations will generate an estimated 1.77 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, which:

  • Creates enough electricity to fully power 135 homes each year
  • Offsets CO2 emissions generated from burning nearly 860,000 pounds of coal annually
  • Sequesters the same amount of carbon from the atmosphere as over 784 acres of forest
  • Offsets the CO2 emissions generated from consuming 87,000 gallons of gasoline annually

“NT Solar’s financing expertise was instrumental in structuring this project,” said Rohit Garg, Managing Member of Prometheus Power Group. “Their support ensured we could deliver long-term value to the Eastport community while making clean energy more accessible to Maine residents.”

This partnership with Prometheus Power Group underscores NT Solar’s continued mission to expand access to clean and affordable renewable energy in rural Maine. NT Solar remains committed to supporting underserved areas by advancing equitable and impactful energy investments across the country.

About NT Solar

NT Solar, a division of the National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC), provides tax credit equity for renewable energy projects that deliver measurable community benefits. NT Solar specializes in community solar, energy storage, and projects that serve low-income households or are located in historically underserved areas. Visit www.nt.solar to learn more.

About Prometheus Power Group

Prometheus Power Group develops and operates community solar projects across the U.S., with a focus on the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Mountain West. The team has developed or is actively developing over 350 MW of solar capacity and operates through its venture, Nugenics Solar LLC Visit www.prometheuspowergroup.com to learn more.

The National Trust Community Investment Corporation (NTCIC) is proud to announce the successful financial closing of the $40.2 million revitalization of Benn High’s NMTC Condo in Bennington, Vermont. This transformative redevelopment will breathe new life into a historic 1913 former school building by creating a dynamic, community-centered hub with workforce housing, community recreation space, a senior center, and more. NTCIC provided a $5 million New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) allocation and facilitated an equity investment in the $5.6 million in federal Historic Tax Credits (HTCs) generated by the project.

The historic Bennington High School, an iconic example of Beaux Arts public architecture, served students for nearly 100 years before closing its doors. Vacant since 2004, the building is now poised for a new future through an adaptive reuse project known as Benn High.

“NTCIC is incredibly proud to have played a role in the Benn High redevelopment,” said Amanda Bloomberg, Senior Acquisitions Manager at NTCIC. “It was truly a pleasure collaborating with Zak Hale and the various players whose dedication and vision brought this transformative project to life. With its diverse and creative financing sources, we believe Benn High will serve as a case study for future redevelopment efforts across the country.”

The NMTC Condo totals 72,000 sq ft, which will include 22 workforce housing units and nearly 48,000 sq ft of commercial and community space. Tenants include the Town of Bennington, leasing over 28,000 sq ft for a new community recreation and senior center, the YMCA, operating a 102-seat childcare center that will serve mostly low-income families, the University of Vermont Extension, offering agricultural, nutrition, and community development programs to over 1,000 residents annually, and more.

The project also incorporates geothermal and solar technologies, making it 100% electric. Significant Brownfield Remediation Funds (BRF) were secured from both Vermont and the federal government to address contamination from a pre-existing 19th-century machine workshop on site.

The community impact of Benn High is far-reaching. It is projected to create 24 new permanent full-time jobs and 92 high-quality construction jobs, retain 35 existing jobs, create access to new recreation programs for more than 4,300 individuals, provide childcare for 102 children, with 55% from low-income households, host senior programming for 150+ local seniors, expanded nutrition education through the UVM extension program, and more.

“The Benn High Redevelopment has been the most challenging and rewarding endeavor of my career,” said Zak Hale, CEO of Hale Resources LLC. “Bringing together more than 30 financing sources and aligning them with the realities of a century-old school building required persistence and creativity at every turn. We’re grateful to NTCIC and our many partners for their support in making this project possible. Most importantly, Benn High will once again be a place that brings people together, providing housing, childcare, recreation, and services that will strengthen Bennington for generations to come.”

Located in an area with high levels of community need, the Benn High redevelopment will not only generate additional housing options but will serve as a community hub providing critical resources to residents of all ages. NTCIC’s investment in Benn High continues its mission to revitalize historic spaces in underserved communities, delivering inclusive, resilient, and economically sustainable development.

Learn more about NTCIC’s involvement in the project here.