Redevelopment commission approves EDA services contract, agrees to fund via TIFs

The Delaware County Redevelopment Commission voted July 9 to approve the 2026 Economic Development Services contract with the Economic Development Alliance and to fund the remainder of the year from multiple tax increment financing (TIF) districts.

Tracy Lutton of the Economic Development Alliance told commissioners the contract is the same funding level the alliance has received since 2011 and "makes up about 24% of our budget," adding that the organization seeks outside funding and takes stewardship of taxpayer dollars seriously. Lutton highlighted business attraction and retention work, noting 12 attraction projects in the pipeline and ongoing site visits and proposals to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation.

Commissioners discussed which TIFs would carry the remainder of the year’s invoices and whether future years’ commitments would be prudent given unknowns about TIF revenue. Staff and commissioners agreed the existing contract will be invoiced monthly; the commission also noted that the current set of four TIFs (Magna, Morrison, Midwest Metal and Progress Rail) can cover the contract for the rest of 2026 but asked staff to monitor next-year capacity.

The motion to approve the funding arrangement passed by roll call with the five voting members recorded as voting yes.