Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council agrees to let Retail and Restaurant incentive programs expire June 22, 2026
Summary
Staff recommended allowing the city’s Retail and Restaurant Incentive Programs to sunset June 22, 2026; staff cited program design as time-limited, $69,007 distributed across six businesses since 2021, and recommended reevaluation if market conditions change.
Assistant to the City Manager Jarell Blakey told the Committee that the Retail and Restaurant Incentive Programs were adopted as targeted, time-limited tools and are scheduled to expire on June 22, 2026. Staff recommended allowing both programs to sunset as contemplated by the ordinance framework.
Blakey reviewed program structure: permit fee assistance up to $5,000, a three-year graduated tax rebate (restaurant rebate tied to City food and beverage tax; retail rebate tied to home rule sales tax), and façade/interior grants up to $10,000 for qualifying independent, non-franchise businesses. Staff reported $69,007.07 in grant and incentive funding has been distributed across six participating businesses since 2021, with stronger participation in the restaurant sector.
The Committee agreed that the Retail and Restaurant Incentive Programs will expire on June 22, 2026. Staff noted the City can reevaluate and design new incentive tools in the future should commercial conditions warrant.
