TIF process kicks off this month

City manager Susan Nicosia informed the Columbia Falls City Council of the upcoming public process for the creation of a tax-increment financing (TIF) district during their meeting Oct. 6.

The TIF process will kick off at the city council chambers with initial training for city staff and councilors on Monday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. followed by a public presentation the next day for stakeholders, business owners and interested parties from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The timing coincided with city councilor Dave Petersen’s comments on Xanterra Parks & Recreation leaving the former Glacier Discovery Square building later this month.

A good use for the building could be a technology-based company like Xanterra, Petersen said.

Nicosia said the goal of the TIF district is to build up funds to address blight and to promote economic development.

Nicosia noted that several parties have visited the building recently, she said, and one might return from Spokane, Wash., with another idea for its use. It was good that Xanterra was using the building at the time, she added.