Gov. Pat McCrory and Cultural Resources Secretary Susan Kluttz on Monday visited Salisbury, touting the importance of reviving tax credits for historic renovations.

During a news conference at Salisbury City Hall, McCrory and Kluttz — a former Salisbury mayor — spoke briefly to a packed room before boarding trolleys to tour the former Bernhardt Hardware Building on Main Street and the Fulton-Mock-Blackmer House on Fulton Street.

“We are here today because, frankly, we’re having a crisis in Raleigh,” Kluttz said. “As you know ,the tax credits expired at the end of the year and it’s critical they be restored for economic recovery and Governor McCrory’s Carolina comeback.”

Referring to the restoration of the historic preservation tax credits, Kluttz said the state shouldn’t lose its past as it looks toward the future.

Monday’s visit was the 19th stop of Kluttz’s statewide tour to raise awareness for the tax credits, which expired at the conclusion of 2014.

McCrory spoke immediately after Kluttz, saying he planned to include a revived form of the historic tax credits in his fiscal year 2015-2016 budget proposal.

“I’m a conservative, and I’m a Republican and I believe we should encourage re-investment by the private sector. Isn’t that what it’s all about?” McCrory asked. “Regardless of where you are in the political spectrum, it’s encouraging investment. It’s also encouraging investment to preserve the history, which reminds the next generation how we got here.”

McCrory recalled his days as a student at Catawba College, saying downtown was run-down when he attended the school in the 1970s. Because of historic preservation and renovation, McCrory said, downtown Salisbury is now a “destination.”

In addition to McCrory and Kluttz, the crowd of dozens at city hall included state legislators, members of the state school board, locally elected officials and business owners.

For more about McCrory’s visit, pick up Tuesday’s edition of the Salisbury Post or log on to www.salisburypost.com