CRA Business Resource Center is open for business in a newly renovated store front in Old Pompano
Posted by Ben Garrison on June 10, 2011 at 2:00 PM
By Phyllis J. Neuberger
Pelican staff
Let’s begin with a fast explanation of what the CRA is. It’s an acronym for Community Redevelopment Agency which is funded by you the taxpayer through your property taxes if you live in a CRA area. It’s called Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, a portion of taxes that have legally been set aside for the redevelopment of specified areas in the city. There’s an East CRA and a Northwest CRA. How to proceed with redevelopment of these areas has been the subject of much community discussion for too many years. The city commissioners hired Redevelopment Management Associates to handle the CRA projects and they are on a roll, putting plans into action.
On May 31, Mayor Fisher, the commissioners, President of the Chamber, Ric Green, CRA staff and other movers and shakers in the city were on hand for the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Business Resource Center. The CRA has high hopes that this new center will assist small businesses to grow, help new businesses to get started and create job opportunities for companies and individuals in Pompano Beach.
The Center, a 2,234 square foot facility located at 50 NE First St. next to Pompano Pharmacy, is open five days a week. The building is leased by the CRA which paid for its complete renovation.
Three exciting programs offered are being administered by International Enterprise Development, Inc., or IED, a company that has racked up many successes in Pompano Beach and other cities. Susan Kores, director of the new center, has been with IED for 14 years. Well qualified with a Master’s degree in Public Administration, she’s excited about the three programs offered in this new Business Resource Center.