North Battleford lawmakers denied a developer’s request for a tax abatement but were eager to see the new restaurant proposed for the area. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

In the chambers

City welcomes Montana’s but turns down tax-abatement request

Feb 11, 2020 | 8:15 AM

The restaurant chain Montana’s is looking at opening in North Battleford

The developer hoped to receive a tax discount for the new restaurant but was unsuccessful in getting council’s approval.

Mayor Ryan Bater said rebates are available for projects through the city’s downtown revitalization incentive as well as its key commercial corridor incentive program, with boundaries along Railway Avenue and 100 St., but not the Yellow Sky neighbourhood where this establishment will be built.

“Tonight council considered a request for a tax incentive,” he said. “That was denied, but that does not mean that council is not excited about this new business.”

The restaurant will be situated at 604 Carlton Trail.

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The developer submitted a letter to council requesting consideration for a five-year tax concession. Through the proposal, taxes would be based on land-value alone in 2020, based on a 50 per cent discount of full assessed-value from 2021 to 2023, and based on a 25 per cent discount of full assessed value in 2024.

But council agreed on administration’s recommendation the city deny the tax abatement request, which would have reduced the amount of taxes collected from the property over the five years.

Bater said having Montana’s start in North Battleford will be a boost to economic development, and the city is eager to see the business come here.

In its correspondence, the company indicated the business would employ 25 full-time staff and up to 30 part-time employees.

The estimated cost of the proposed project is about $2.3 million.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow