Sweeping changes to the Community Redevelopment Agencies is not the answer

Hernando Sun More than 220 CRAs operate in Florida. These are local initiatives, authorized under state law, that allow communities to target blighted areas for redevelopment. The money comes from something called “tax incremental financing” – basically, the agency captures any increased tax receipts arising from business growth attributable to its investments in the targeted…

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CRA commits to Cascades Project

The Cascades Project cleared a major hurdle with the Community Redevelopment Agency’s unanimous approval Monday to complete and execute a development agreement with incremental tax rebates. Early project images reveal a colossal mixed-use development unlike anything in Tallahassee’s downtown. It includes a waterfall staircase in the park’s plaza, room for a bakery, a coffee shop,…

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Gov. Scott: Disaster Relief Employment Available to Floridians Affected by Hurricane Irma

MARATHON, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott announced the state has been awarded federal Dislocated Worker Grants to provide temporary employment to Floridians affected by Hurricane Irma. The Dislocated Worker Grants, administered by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, provide disaster relief employment in the form of temporary jobs that support storm response and recovery efforts.…

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Floodplain property owners receive discount on flood insurance premiums

Good news for Tallahassee flood insurance policyholders! Tallahassee citizens will save approximately $250,000 in annual flood insurance premium costs thanks to the City of Tallahassee’s efforts through the Community Rating System (CRS) program. As part of this, the City has released a progress report on hazard mitigation initiatives. The Tallahassee-Leon County Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS)…

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Lawmaker Repeats Call For CRA Transparency, Accountability

A Florida lawmaker is once again trying to reform the state’s community redevelopment agencies. The taxpayer-funded programs would have to meet stricter reporting and ethics requirements. Representative Jake Rayburn of Valrico wants community redevelopment agencies to be more transparent and accountable. Lawmakers designed the programs to combat blight and slums and build affordable housing. Critics argue more regulations are…

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