Success and partial success at the state legislature
Tax Increment Financing
Connecticut's municipalities
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| | Above is the map outline of a TIF district in Fairfield, Maine. Maine has hundreds of TIF districts. Recently passed legislation allows for the formation of TIF districts in Connecticut, while increasing the number of activities that can be financed with TIFs. |
have a new tool for investing in their downtowns and social centers, thanks to the passage of legislation expanding tax-increment financing, or TIF for short. Municipalities can now create a defined district and plan, then use tax revenues generated within the district for investment within the area. The municipality is able to use these funds for a broad range of initiatives including to improve and maintain properties or pay for staff to manage the district.
A coalition made up of CMSC, Pullman & Comley, CCAPA, CEDAS and others worked for months to ensure the bill's passage, crafting language, meeting with key legislators to explain the changes and enlisting champions to move it through the legislative process. Many of you answered our call and supported us in our efforts, contacting your representatives and even submitting testimony in support of the bill. We are grateful to you for supporting us, and to the coalition for their tireless dedication.
While pausing to celebrate this monumental achievement, we're looking ahead to the fall, when we plan to roll out a series of educational and technical assistance workshops to further explain the legislation, its potential uses, and how municipalities can implement TIF improvements in their town.
Community Investment Act
With regard to Community Investment Act funds, the success was no doubt muted. While the funds were not swept entirely, they were cut in half. In addition, because of the way the funds are dispersed, the portion that goes to historic preservation and funds initiatives like our Preservation of Place (POP) grant program will be reduced by roughly 70%. So while it wasn't a total loss, there will be a considerable impact on CMSC and many of the other organizations that benefit from these monies. On a happier note, CMSC had already secured two years of POP grant funding last year (this grant is sourced by CIA financing through the State Historic Preservation office), meaning the full amount will be available for the 2016 round.
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President's Message
We knew it all along
By all accounts our Awards Gala was a resounding success. People enjoyed the presentation and loved the tours. It gave them an insider's look at the downtown buildings, parks, cultural treasures and amenities downtown New Britain has to offer. Before the event, many of them weren't aware of the multitude of attractions and positive changes taking place, leading one tour-taker to quip, "You should call this the 'Who Knew?' tour."
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| | Participants of the Downtown Arts, Culture & Heritage Tour learn about the origins of New Britain and South Church from Reverend George Harris. South Church is also home to the Music Series at South Church, CONCORA, and the Main Street Singers. It also has one of the largest pipe organs in the State. |
A response like that perfectly encapsulates why we do the work that we do. At CMSC, we're privileged to work closely with dozens of members across the state, each with its own unique character, charm, and yes, challenges. It's our job to help the managers of the downtown to learn how to capitalize on their strengths while changing and adapting to meet current and future needs. We started our Awards Gala program to showcase both our members' success in that regard, as well as that of the town or city hosting the event. Giving our members the opportunity to shine, to share with others how their Complete Streets plan is being implemented, how they're linking the downtown with the state's massive investment in transit, or how they're reviving historic buildings with new residents and uses is just one of the ways we introduce people to all our towns centers have to offer.
From the feedback we received, this year's event deeply resonated with attendees, enlightening and entertaining them, while - best of all - leaving them wanting to come back for more. We knew all along just how great New Britain and our others members are, and we're thrilled that now so many new people do too.
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Upcoming Events
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Seminar: CT Brownfields: Taking it to the Next Level
CT Convention Center
June 25
iForum on Healthcare and Housing Stability
The Lyceum, Hartford
June 25
Register & More Info
CMSC Closed for Independence Day
July 3
SNEAPA Conference
Hartford
September 24-25
Register & More Info
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