The National Trust for Historic Preservation has awarded its 2012 Trustees' Award for Organizational Excellence to the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. The Alliance is one of 22 award winners to be honored next week in Spokane, Wash.

The Alliance, established by concerned citizens in 1981, has been involved in the preservation of the Rock Island Swing Bridge, the Androy Hotel, the Thorstein Veblen Farm and the Big Fish Supper Club, among other sites.

It was also involved in the establishment of the state historic preservation tax credit, which was passed by the Minnesota Legislature in 2010. According to the group, the tax credit has yielded an investment of more than $9 per $1 credited and has created close to 3,000 jobs. In addition the group has relaunched the Minnesota Main Street Program, which aids cities and towns in their efforts to revitalize their downtowns.

"The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota has had an impact on nearly every town across the state" said Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in a statement. "From legislative successes like the state tax credit to the re-launch of the Minnesota Main Street Program, the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota works hard every day to keep Minnesota a special place."

Janet Moore covers commercial real estate for the Star Tribune.