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City To Use Fund For New Businesses

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By LAURA KINSLER

lkinsler@tampatrib.com

Published: October 16, 2008

ZEPHRYHILLS - Over the years, Zephyrhills' redevelopment district has built up a reserve of more than $500,000.

The largest expenditures to date have allowed the city to buy property and build two parking lots.

Now, the city council wants to use its Community Redevelopment Agency reserves to help lure new businesses downtown.

This week, the council approved two grants to new businesses on Fifth Avenue. The city agreed to split the cost of a new sprinkler system for a clothing store. Council members also agreed to a yearlong 50-percent rent subsidy for Thanks A Latte Cafe, which opened in August.

Development director Todd Vande Berge plans to expand the rent subsidy program to lure specific types of businesses to downtown.

Council President Luis Lopez questioned the policy's fairness.

"If an insurance office is paying into the fund, why shouldn't they be able to apply for the same grant?" Lopez asked.

Vande Berge said the grants would target retail shops or restaurants that could draw people downtown.
Dade City commissioners, who met Tuesday with their owzn Redevelopment Advisory Council, took notice. Despite a tight budget, Dade City's CRA fund has swelled to nearly $750,000.

The district expects to commit about $40,000 a year for decorative streetlights that would be installed throughout the downtown shopping area. The district collects about $140,000 a year of tax revenue, and commissioners are eager to make better use of it.

"I think we could do more, especially now in a down economy," Commissioner Curtis Beebe said.

He suggested Dade City also create a grant program for start-up businesses to help fill some of vacant buildings downtown.

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 865-4844.

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