Date: March 25, 2025
Summary
The Portland City Council Arts & Economy Committee convened on March 25, 2025, to discuss the use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as a tool for economic development. The meeting featured testimonies from representatives of community-based organizations such as Unite Oregon, Imagine Black, and APANO. These groups shared their perspectives on the impacts of TIF, highlighting concerns about displacement and the need for more democratic investment strategies in historically underserved communities. The committee discussed the potential for participatory democracy to shape future TIF policies and considered the need for exploring alternatives to TIF that might offer more flexibility and direct benefits to communities. No votes were taken during this meeting, but the discussions set the stage for future actions, including the potential amendment of state laws governing TIF and the exploration of new models for community engagement and economic development.
Key Points
- Discussion on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) as a tool for economic development.
- Testimonies from community-based organizations on the impacts and uses of TIF.
- Proposals for participatory democracy in decision-making processes regarding TIF usage.
Watch Full Meeting
No votes were recorded in this meeting.
Action Items
- Consideration of alternative economic development tools to TIF.
- Exploration of participatory budgeting as a democratic process.
- Investigation into state law amendments for TIF practices.