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CRA approves small business marketing grant and weighs tax‑increment rebate options
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Summary
The Community Redevelopment Agency approved a business marketing and event grant to reimburse up to $2,500 for small downtown businesses and discussed — but did not adopt — a tax‑increment rebate program, asking staff for more design details and a shorter rebate term than the 15‑year example shown.
The Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) met after the commission adjourned and adopted a business marketing and event grant program the board had discussed in August.
CRA coordinator Chelsea Bekaitis presented the 2025 annual report and described proposed programs. The business marketing/event grant would reimburse eligible small businesses up to $2,500 for marketing and small promotional events such as digital ads, print marketing, graphic design and micro‑events intended to drive foot traffic to the downtown commercial area. The CRA board approved the program unanimously and directed staff to implement it with an application process.
Board members then discussed a proposed tax‑increment rebate program intended to encourage private redevelopment and infill. Staff outlined a sample structure that would rebate a share of property tax increment generated by a qualifying project over a period (the example used a 15‑year term and a 70–90% rebate scale tied to project features such as affordable housing). Several board members said 15 years looked long given the CRA’s remaining life and suggested a 5–10 year term would be preferable; others asked for anchor language on millage treatment and whether the county’s portion could be rebated. The board asked staff to develop a formal program draft for future consideration rather than approving the concept that night.
