CONVERSE - The Converse Redevelopment Commission met Thursday at their regular meeting to discuss how the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) dollars will be spent and what future projects will be pursued.
In 2000, Converse created a TIF district that has since grown to include Dollar General, The Big Dipper, Converse Service Center, FFBT and Converse Personal Storage.
CRC President Paul Hillsamer said the committee drafted a 'proper expenditures for TIF funds' outline that describes what the Commission's plans are for future development.
According to the outline the purpose of the Economic Development Plan is to "stimulate new economic and redevelopment along the SR 18 Corridor, as well as to initiate redevelopment discussions for possible projects at the Brooks ketchup site (old canning plant), and also to enable the CRC to participate at some level in the Cardinal Greenway Project."
Hillsamer said the Commission's next step is to take up applications they have received from businesses that would like to use TIF dollars to redevelop their existing property.
"These are businesses that are requesting TIF funds and the funds will go towards infrastructure," Hillsamer said.
Hillsamer said the Commission needs to get a specific list from their attorney to determine what projects are eligible for TIF dollars.
"I know we can't use the funds for painting or carpeting," Hillsamer said. "We need to determine what is covered by law so we can eliminate what is not covered."
Hillsamer said at their last meeting the Commission awarded $50,000 to begin work on the Converse Junction Trail.
"We have been trying to get the trail going for 11 years now and it is finally coming to a peak," Hillsamer said. "It is basically covering the Old Nickel Plate Railroad line that used to run through town."
Hillsamer said the Converse Junction Trail will go from the County Line Road on the east side of Converse and then join up with the Sweetser Trail.
"There has been a lot of time put into land acquisition and surveying," Hillsamer said. "We have a parking lot near the County Line Road that we put in last year and people will be able to access the trail from there."
Hillsamer said there are a lot of people who have been looking forward to the Converse Junction Trail becoming a reality.
"Some of them have died waiting for the trail to be built," Hillsamer said.
Also, the CRC is looking to put in sewers and water connections to attract employers and industrial development for the Airport Economic Development Area, according to the proper expenditures outline.
"For the Airport Economic Development Area, TIF funds can be spent on offering economic development incentives to attract potential new industries," the outline stated.
The CRC said that TIF funds cannot be spent on single family dwellings, like residential property or condos, or properties outside of the TIF district.