Ferdinand RDC Seeks Guidance on TIF Projects

The Ferdinand Redevelopment Commission is exploring ways to use TIF funding to support future development. 

Jeff Quyle, President and CEO of Radius Indiana, was a featured speaker at the last RDC meeting. Quyle was invited by the board to lead an in-depth discussion on TIF projects, particularly for commercial or industrial development. He gave a brief overview of Radius, followed by an in-depth discussion with the board to assess their goals for the community. Radius is a regional, non-profit, economic development corporation. It serves eight counties, including Dubois County. Quyle said that their goal is to promote economic growth in those counties, and that is best accomplished by providing communities with the programs and tools that they need to help themselves. 

Radius offers classes for elected officials, chamber of commerce leaders, and anyone else who might need more information on the policies and practices used in economic development. The next course will be available in March of 2027 in French Lick. Radius has programs that provide information on how residential TIF projects work, how to work with your congressman to get grant funds for local projects, how to do tax abatements, and how to option properties, among many others. 

Quyle asked the board about their goals for the community and what areas they would like to learn more about. The town recently engaged in its first TIF project, which was residential, and would like to get more information on the process for industrial and commercial TIFs. He gave a brief summary of how a TIF district works, particularly related to property taxes and concerns over school district funding. Based on the information gathered in the October meeting, Quyle will return for the November meeting with the requested information and suggestions about ways for the town to move forward. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit www.ferdinandindiana.org 

 - Drew Hasselbring