Neepawa offers new incentives for development

Details

Published on Friday, November 17, 2017

Eoin Devereux
Neepawa Banner & Press

Plans are in motion for a new incentive program to attract more development into Neepawa. On Tuesday, Nov. 7, town council reviewed a by-law that would provide taxation incentives for new multiple-unit residential development, as well as new or expanding, commercial and industrial developments.

One of the main components of the ‘Development Incentives By-law” would be a multi-year municipal tax credit, which would essentially serve as phased-in approach to tax rates for certain projects. The length and amount of the incentive would vary, depending upon the type of development. A multiple-unit residential would be eligible to receive a progressive tax credit on municipal taxes, over a period of three years:

Year 1 = Total general municipal taxes @ 75 per cent reduction
Year 2 = Total general municipal taxes @ 50 per cent reduction
Year 3 = Total general municipal taxes @ 25 per cent reduction
Year 4 = Full taxation rates apply

The commercial and industrial tax incentive would see developers eligible to receive a tax credit equivalent to 50 per cent of municipal taxes per year for two years for constructing or expanding a property that increases the assessment value by a minimum of $500,000.

It would also encourage large industrial and manufacturing businesses to locate, operate and provide employment within the Town. Development that increases the assessed value of a property by a minimum of a million dollars will be eligible to receive tax credit incentives over a period of four years

First reading of the by-law was made on Tuesday and will undergo further discussion at a future council meeting before being approved.

Raffle and lottery changes

The Liquor and Gaming Authority of Manitoba has offered municipalities the ability to issue raffle lottery licenses. The new rules will apply to all raffles and lotteries with net revenues and total prize values of less than $3,000. These licenses are meant to ensure that only charitable and religious organizations are profiting from the proceeds and that there is accountability.

Raffles with revenue under $250 will be charged a license fee of $5. Raffles between $250 and $1,500 will be charged $10, while raffles  between $1,500 and $3,000 will be charged a license fee of $20. Any raffles, lotteries, 50/50s or Chase the Aces over $3,000 will need to registered directly with the Liquor and Gaming Authority.

Accessibility plan

An open house geared towards community accessibility has been scheduled for Monday, Nov. 20, between 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Town Office. Mayor Adrian de Groot said the meeting is looking to gain the public’s feedback on the current state of access to town services, where there may be barriers in place to that access and how to eliminate those barriers.

Snow removal deal

The Town of Neepawa and Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation have agreed to a snow removal deal. MIT pays the Town a flat rate of $61.42 per centimetre to remove snow from sections of Highway 16 that are near and pass through the community.

Misc.

The firehall design tender process closed on Nov. 1. The submissions are still being reviewed. Meanwhile, the water and sewer systems for the new building have been completed.

Neepawa’s north end water project is nearly completed. The current ground conditions have delayed the progress, with two of the four water services lines hooked up. The remaining work is expected to be finalized soon, however.