Learn the fundamentals about how to assess tax increment financing (TIF) projects and proposals. This three-part webinar series takes an in-depth look at what decision makers need to know when considering using this important economic development tool. Using a best practices approach, this series offers lessons for developing practical skills in a strategic framework to know when and how much to utilize TIF wisely when promoting your community’s long-term economic growth.

Based on ICMA’s new book Tax Increment Financing: A Practical Guide for Analyzing TIF, Risks, Benefits, and Outcomes, this series is hosted by the book’s authors:  Dr. John Kovari, Professor of Political Science & Public Administration at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and Joseph Gromacki, the City of Madison’s TIF Coordinator.

What You Will Learn:

• Practical skills used in evaluating TIF proposals
• Real estate development basics
• Accurately forecasting future TIF revenue / Creating a “TIF Run”
• How to evaluate cost projections for TIF proposals
• How to evaluate TIF finances based on metrics used in the real estate and financial industries
• How to scale TIF development assistance to determine the appropriate level of support
• TIF best practices from across the country
• Case study examples of TIF districts

Who Should Attend

Similarly to the book, this program is designed for local government managers (both city and county), assistant managers, department heads, attorneys, and economic development and planning officials who would like to gain a better understanding of the fundaments of TIF.

Sessions and Schedule

ALL PROGRAMS WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 1:00-2:30 PM EASTERN

Wednesday, August 27^th | Session 1: TIF Basics

In the first session of the series, you will learn the basics about what TIF is and how it works, as well as how to start evaluating TIF proposals (including how to create a formal TIF application process and determine a project’s initial financial feasibility).

Wednesday, September 3^rd | Session 2: Evaluating TIF Projects & Finances

In the second session, you will learn the fundamentals of how real estate developments are discussed and how TIF can be evaluated in this context, investigating how TIF requests can be analyzed by investigating their project costs and financing.

Wednesday, September 10^th | Session 3: Scaling TIF Assistance and Best Practices

In the third and final session, we will continue covering how to analyze the financial side of TIF deals and learn how best to scale TIF assistance so as to minimize the fiscal risks associated with using it. The last section will summarize keys points and cover some best practices of TIF from around the country.

Note: All sessions will be recorded and available on demand shortly after the conclusion of the live event. Participants will have access to the recordings for six months from the date of purchase.

What You Will Need

Required Reading

• Tax Increment Financing: A Practical Guide for Analyzing TIF Risks, Benefits, and Outcomes 
  Available in Print and Digital

About Licenses

Registration is by the license, meaning one license per participant. Group discounts are applied at checkout as follows: 2 or more registrants = 35% off for members / 7% off for nonmembers; 5 or more registrants = 40% off for members / 12% off for nonmembers; 10 or more registrants = 50% for members / 25% off for nonmembers. To purchase multiple licenses, enter the desired number of participants into the "Quantity" selector above and click "Add to Cart"; see the group registration instructions below for more information on registering your participants.

Only the purchaser needs to be an ICMA member to receive the member rate. Nonmembers may request invoices on behalf of members in their community to receive the member rate; please send requests via email to learning@icma.org. Staff registration lists for group purchases must be submitted within six months of purchase.

Registered participants will receive a downloadable certificate of completion upon course completion. While groups are welcome to view the series together from an auditorium or conference room using a single license, only one certificate will be issued per license.

Instructions for Registering Groups

1. Download the registration spreadsheet »
2. Fill in all visible columns (please do not reveal the "hidden" columns).
   NOTE: When filling in the State column, please use the two-letter, all-caps abbreviation (ex. Maryland should be MD). For the Address column, you may use your organization’s main office address rather than personal addresses of each registrant.
3. Once the list is completed, email list to Julian Lamphear at jlamphear@icma.org and add the words "Tax Increment Financing Series Registration for [your organization]" to the subject line of the email. All staff members must be submitted within six months of purchase; unused licenses will expire after this period.
4. Allow four to five business days for processing. When access is granted, your staff members will receive an email with next steps. 

For more information, please contact the webinar program manager Julian Lamphear at jlamphear@icma.org.