North Dakota Renaissance Zone: State and Local Partnerships

The Renaissance Zone Program has been used by cities throughout North Dakota for over twenty years to spur revitalization in urban areas that had experienced prior disinvestment.
From the beginning, the program has been intentionally mixed-use and applied to the downtowns of cities from Finley (pop 400) to Fargo (pop 127K). Planners will share their experience with administering this program and navigating the complex politics involved in economic development incentives.

The Renaissance Zone tax exemptions are established through statewide legislation, but customized and guided by development plans adopted by each city. The panel, representing both state and local governments, will discuss how they work together to meet program objectives. Planners will share stories about political opposition to the program, and how a data-driven discussion involving the entire community can be used to generate public support. The panel will also discuss how a tax incentive can be used to promote other goals of their comprehensive plans, such as downtown urban design, affordable housing, and historic preservation.

Drawing from a long track record, the panel will discuss not only the structure of the program but also the outcomes. Providing clear evidence of success is critical to ongoing public acceptance of the program.

Access this session with closed captions (Wordly)