The life of two tax-increment financing districts that encompass major development areas in New Albany and Clarksville would be extended by five years under a bill introduced by State Sen. Ron Grooms.
Clarksville’s TIF district, which envelops the former Colgate Plant site, and New Albany’s Charlestown Road TIF district, which includes the Purdue Research Park of Southeast Indiana campus, wouldn’t expire until 2038 under Senate Bill 360.
Grooms, R-Jeffersonville, said the legislation will allow Clarksville and New Albany more time to raise funds in the districts and finance bonds for infrastructure projects.
“The process of the bill does not create additional debt, nor does it raise taxes. It simply gives the life of the allocation area more time for more detailed planning and possible refinancing,” Grooms said.
He compared the extension to refinancing a home mortgage.
There are no bonds issued currently for either of the TIF districts. But officials with Clarksville and New Albany said Grooms’ bill is important to sparking economic growth in those areas.
“It’s of the utmost importance for us because the Purdue Research Facility out there is our key economic development area for high-tech entrepreneurial jobs,” said David Duggins, economic development and redevelopment director for New Albany. “We need to have every tool at our disposal to partner with the Purdue Research Foundation to grow that park.”
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