New Downtown College Place Association formed; board seeks executive director to access B&O tax credit

Miss Garcia reported that a new Downtown College Place Association has been organized, with bylaws, a board of directors and a logo. She said the group hopes to hire an executive director this summer so it can apply for state Main Street-style designation and allow businesses to pledge B&O tax credits to support downtown programming.

Garcia described the association’s early priorities as fundraising for basic operating costs (insurance, incorporation), a community beautification/cleanup day and two proposed murals (one on the side of Andy's Market and another facing the post office). She said the group is currently volunteer-run and “welcoming funding” while pursuing grants for operational support.

A commission member who had experience forming a similar organization in Colfax explained the funding mechanism: once a downtown organization has a full-time executive director, businesses within the city can pledge B&O tax payments to the association and receive a 75% credit, which the association can then use for events and facade grants. The speaker said that in Colfax the program produced significant local revenue for downtown programming and facade improvements, but emphasized that the association must first secure a full-time executive director to be eligible.

Why it matters: The association’s formation could enable downtown programming and local retention of a portion of business B&O taxes once an executive director is in place and the organization meets state designation requirements.

No formal commission action was taken; the commission discussed funding mechanisms and next steps and encouraged the group’s organizers.