FARMINGTON – County Commissioners approved funding three projects in the Unorganized Territory with $85,000 of Tax Increment Financing district money at Tuesday’s meeting.
The Carrabassett Valley ATV Club was approved by commissioners to receive $9,250 as part of an $18,500 project to mitigate mud on trails with the use of mat-like material. The Flagstaff Business Association requested $30,000 and was approved to receive $27,500 for tourism-related activity and marketing of the High Peaks region. The High Peaks Alliance was approved to receive $29,311 to build a bridge over Perham Stream and $19,000 for other trail improvements. That entire project is expected to cost $184,311, with the other funds coming from a grant the Alliance had successfully applied for and private funds.
All three projects were recommended by the TIF advisory committee. That committee consists of U.T. residents that meet with Alison Hagerstrom, executive director of the Greater Franklin County Development Corp., and County Clerk Julie Magoon to review projects requesting TIF funds. Applications are scored by the committee, which issues recommendations to commissioners.
Hagerstrom noted that no organization would receive funds until all previously-funded projects were complete. The county receives regular progress reports from all organizations receiving TIF funding.
The existing 2008 TIF agreement was developed between the state, county and project developer TransCanada. As part of that agreement, 75 percent of tax revenues from the Kibby Wind Project were captured, with 60 percent of that amount returned to the company. The other 40 percent, or an estimated $4 million over a 20-year period, was taken by the county for investment in the Unorganized Territory.
Typically, Hagerstrom said, the committee looks to support projects that have already acquired other sources of funding.
Two other projects were not funded by the commissioners. One had submitted an application but it was deemed insufficiently specific, Hagerstrom said, while the other had only submitted a letter of intent. Hagerstrom will be meeting with both of the applicants to develop more complete applications.
Commissioner Clyde Barker of Strong and Commissioner Gary McGrane of Jay approved all three projects unanimously.
Are you kidding me ? If they can afford that kind of money I think my land on Perham street the trail that cuts by the power line is for rent this year ….. I’ll take firewood in trade so if you snowmobiler skiers want to keep the trail across my land make an offer or reroute the trail