Mayor Ryan Bater is seen following council Monday. Council approved a number of incentives and a discount offer during its meeting to encourage new business and residential development. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff) : Angela Brown

By Angela Brown

Community growth

City council supports incentives, discount to spur growth

Mar 12, 2019 | 9:03 AM

North Battleford businesses and residents may be inspired to make plans for the future now that the city has approved a number of tax incentives to spur development.

City Hall approved several tax incentive policies, as well as a discount promotion at its meeting Monday.

Council gave the go-ahead to continue the city’s Downtown Revitalization Incentive Policy for another 24 months. The city appears to be riding a wave of popularity for downtown development, based on the number of new businesses popping up since the policy started almost 24 months ago.

“The downtown is still a big priority for the city,” Mayor Ryan Bater told reporters following the meeting. “We are investing a lot into infrastructure and beautification. We chose to continue the incentive to encourage further economic development.”

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Bater said five businesses have already taken advantage of this incentive since it was first introduced, including the new Capital Annex four-screen movie theatre and the Giant Tiger store, both soon to open downtown.

During council’s meeting Planning and Development Director Jennifer Niesink said the downtown is “becoming more vibrant” as more new businesses start to open.

Council also approved a resolution for a tax incentive policy for a 12-month period for the city’s Key Commercial Corridor, running along 100 Street from 14 Avenue to Territorial Drive, and on Railway Avenue from 106 Street to Battleford Road.

The incentive supports projects that help revitalize and restore the commercial corridor area.

“The key commercial corridor is to encourage development, and the renovation of older properties,” said Mayor Bater.

The tax incentive will apply to the municipal portion of property owners’ taxes.

Council also approved a new Residential Incentive Policy that will be available for a 12-month period. This will offer a municipal tax exemption of 100 per cent for the first three years, 75 per cent in the fourth year, and 50 per cent in year five for new housing construction. The exemption applies to the house structure, not the land.

“You have to be serious about the building; if you are in that process (and) you qualify for the application,” said city planner Ryan MacKrell during the meeting. The project build needs to be completed within a year to qualify for the incentive program.

Discount deal

City council also approved a discount promotion for 15 per cent off on city-owned residential lots for sale in Killdeer Park and Fairview Heights. The offer will be available for a 12-month period.

The planning department said last year the city had zero sales for the first time in a long time for new residential builds. So this year the aim was to generate sales again with the discount proposal, to try to get as many lots sold as possible.

Council agreed with the city’s need to be proactive.

Mayor Bater said when the lots were originally developed a 20 per cent profit margin for the city was factored into the price. So even with the 15 per cent discount, the city will still make money on the sale.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow