Macomb will get some outside help as it looks to create a Business Development District.
The city council agreed to hire the Illinois-based firm Jacob and Klein, LTD.
The firm specializes in helping Illinois communities create and manage Tax Increment Finance districts and other business incentive programs, such as BDDs.
Mayor Mike Inman said the state law to create these districts is complicated. The firm will help ensure the city does everything correctly.
“I can’t underscore enough that the complexity makes it important that we do it right. And in order to do it right, we need a little professional help. And that’s what this is about,” he said.
“They know this. This is what they do.”
The firm, which has also helped Macomb establish TIF districts, will work with city officials to define the BDD. The anticipated study boundary for it includes:
Properties adjacent to the West Jackson Street and East Jackson Street commercial corridor. This includes annexed areas west of Deer Road, heading east through and including the courthouse square and out to Pella Place Drive.
Properties adjacent to East University Drive from approximately North State Street east to North Bower Road.
Properties adjacent to Lafayette Street from approximately Jefferson Street heading north through the courthouse square and continuing to the La Moine River.
The city council has not yet agreed to create the district.
“The timeline would be to have the development district outlined and ready for a vote sometime in late summer/very early fall so that we could get it to the state for implementation by January of next year,” Inman said.
The BDD would generate extra revenue for Macomb to help fund special projects, such as the proposed construction of an indoor sports complex.
The city council also has not voted on whether to build the sports complex, though it has agreed to proceed with planning.
Jacob and Klein will be paid $43,200 to render administrative services and legal advice. The city has the money budgeted for the current fiscal year.
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