Helen Burns SharpThe Chattanooga City Council on Tuesday got a refresher course on a once-used tax-break program.
James Weaver, a lawyer with Waller, Lansden, Dortch & Davis of Nashville, led an education session on how the Tax Increment Financing program (known as TIF) works, what the tax breaks are good for and how they should be used.
The city contracted with the law firm to write policies for the city going forward.
On Tuesday, Weaver said step one for the city is to determine what kinds of development they want to attract.
“The right way is you first, always, figure out what you are trying to accomplish. Is it jobs? Is it job creation? Is it economic development? If a company comes to you, ask, ‘Does this fit our goal?'” Weaver said.