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Building Communities with Tax Increment Financing

The Port of Ridgefield has implemented Tax Increment Financing (TIF) to fund a series of economic development projects within its port district. TIF is a new funding tool approved by the Washington State Legislature to help cities, counties, and public ports build infrastructure projects that support jobs and economic vitality for their communities and the state.


Because the port has limited tax and business revenue yet supports a rapidly growing region and substantial capital improvement program, TIF is a key tool to fund needed improvements to facilities, infrastructure, and public spaces.


We’re committed to working with our community throughout this important initiative which will support economic development and job creation for Ridgefield and Clark County. The port will enact a Voluntary Mitigation Plan like the one recently created by the City of Ridgefield for its own TIF program.


To learn more about TIF, including other ports and cities using this funding tool, visit the State Treasurer’s Office website: https://www.tre.wa.gov/partners/for-local-governments/tax-increment-financing-tif/



FAQs

How does TIF work?

TIF captures a property’s appreciated value by using its increased property taxes to finance infrastructure improvements that benefit a designated area, called a Tax Increment Area (TIA). Projects in the TIA must be reviewed by the Washington State Treasurer’s Office to ensure they meet the requirements of TIF legislation. These projects are intending to stimulate new construction that occurs sooner or with higher values that would otherwise be expected to occur if not for the projects within the TIA.

Why is the Port considering using TIF?

The Port has limited tax and business revenue yet supports a rapidly growing region and substantial capital improvement program. TIF is a key tool to fund needed infrastructure projects, which will enable new development that provides services, jobs, and housing for our community.

Is TIF a new tax? Will it increase my property taxes?

No, TIF is not a new tax. Rather, it is a funding tool that redirects annual tax increases to fund an approved list of projects within the TIA. However, using TIF may require additional assessment of property values, which can result in slight increases for some property tax levies and slight decreases for others. The increase in taxes on a property valued at $100,000 is estimated to be less than 54 cents per year.

How does TIF impact local agencies?

By capturing and redirecting this annual increase from a property’s appreciated value, TIF can affect the amount of taxes some local public agencies receive. You can view the full list of those impacted in the full draft report (linked on this webpage).


We are reaching out to local agencies and our community to share information, answer questions about TIF, and collaborate to help address some of the revenue impacts to local agencies. If TIF is adopted, the Port will enact a Voluntary Mitigation Plan like the one recently created by the City of Ridgefield for its own TIF program.

Does this take away dollars from the local schools?

No, TIF will not redirect funds from local school tax levies. 

What is the area in which the Port will implement TIF?

The designated area, or the TIA, is located within the Port district and consists of two subareas. The largest subarea is focused on the I-5 interchanges with NE 179th Street and NE 219th Street. The smaller subarea is focused on the Ridgefield Waterfront.


TIA Boundary map:

Port of Ridgefield's district:

FAQs Continued

What are the potential projects that TIF would fund?

The Port is prioritizing projects that address high needs and bring economic and community benefits to Ridgfield and Clark County. We have identified a preliminary list of public improvement projects that may be funded by TIF, including:


-  Rebuilding the Ridgefield Waterfront

-  Community enhancement and mitigation 

-  Developing new small business facilities


A full list of the proposed projects can be found in the draft report (linked on this webpage).

What are the estimated economic benefits of TIF?

The implementation of TIF is expected to generate substantial economic impacts for the local and regional economy. Over the 25-year period of this initiative, construction from the development of TIF-funded projects is expected to create roughly 3,190 jobs and $218.3 million in labor income. These projects will create new commercial and retail spaces and, once completed and operational, are expected to create 1,977 jobs and generate $137.1 million in annual labor income. Additionally, the anticipated development activity for these projects once completed is expected to generate over $46 million in local, state, and federal taxes that can be reinvested into the community.

Could the impacts to fire districts be different than what has been forecast?

Yes, they could. The financial model used to forecast fire district tax revenues 25 years into the future assumes only that voters approve future EMS levies every six years. This assumption was included in the financial model at the request of the fire districts impacted by TIF. Those districts also requested an alternate financial model, included in Appendix D, to forecast the increased impacts to the fire districts if those districts successfully pass levy lid lifts to keep their general levy rate between $1.20 and $1.50 per thousand dollars of assessed value. The more funds fire districts raise in a tax levy, the more funds are raised by TIF as a fraction of that total levy and the more funds that can be directed toward economic development projects.

How can I learn more about TIF?

The Port will be hosting two public briefings for anyone interested in learning more and would like their questions about TIF answered.


The first public briefing is on Wednesday, February 28st from 5-7 p.m. at the Port of Ridgefield's offices, located at 101 Mill St Suite 100, Ridgefield, WA. The official briefing will begin at 5:30 p.m., however, this will be an open house-style format and you are welcome to drop by any time. Port staff will be present to discuss and answer all of your TIF-related questions. 


The second public briefing is on Wednesday, April 3rd from 5-7 p.m. at the Port of Ridgefield's offices, located at 101 Mill St Suite 100, Ridgefield, WA. The official briefing will begin at 5:30 p.m., however, this will be an open house-style format and you are welcome to drop by any time. Port staff will be present to discuss and answer all of your TIF-related questions. 

Port of Ridgefield TIA Project Analysis Report

Download PDF

Washington State Treasurer's Analysis Review

Download PDF

Port of Ridgefield TIF Public Briefing Information

Download PDF

Additional Documents

Fire District 6 Interlocal Agreement (pdf)Download
Clark County Fire & Rescue Interlocal Agreement (pdf)Download
Resolution: 2024-411 Establishing a Tax Increment Area (pdf)Download

Questions? Please contact info@portridgefield.org or 360-887-3873.

Port of Ridgefield 

101 Mill Street, suite 100 

Ridgefield, WA 98642

(360) 887-3873


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