Tax Increment Finance (TIF)

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Tax increment finance (TIF) districts are economic tools used by cities around the world to promote development. TIFs allow cities to use a portion of property taxes generated within the district to invest in the district's infrastructure, providing an incentive for private investment.

When private investments within a TIF district lead to higher property values, the resulting increase in property tax revenue is reinvested within the district. That funds improvements promoting the success of the private investments, benefiting the district and the City through job creation and economic prosperity. It can also help retain businesses and their employees, along with attracting new ones.

The state constitution and Local Development Act authorize Oklahoma cities to use TIFs. The Oklahoma City Council approves TIFs by creating a new ordinance to define the district and the management of the funds.

Oklahoma City has 15 TIF districts. For more information, contact Joanna McSpadden, the City’s Economic Development Program Manager, at joanna.mcspadden@okc.gov or (405) 297-3879.

Contact: Joanna McSpadden, Economic Development Program Manager, (405) 297-3879 or joanna.mcspadden@okc.gov.
- Increment Districts
  - The Classen Corridor Revitalization Project Plan was initiated in June 2024. The primary purposes of the Project Plan are to reduce and eliminate blight conditions, reverse economic stagnation, create new employment opportunities and growth, and to stimulate rehabilitation and preservation of historically or architecturally significant structures with an established historic value in the Project Area.
Contact: Joanna McSpadden, Economic Development Program Manager, (405) 297-3879 or joanna.mcspadden@okc.gov.
- Increment District #13: Core to Shore
  - District No. 13 was initiated effective July 1, 2018, for the Core to Shore Reinvestment Area labeled as A in the Project Plan.
  - The Core to Shore Reinvestment Area Project Plan was adopted on Feb. 23, 2016, with the goal of revitalizing vacant, abandoned, dilapidated, underused, blighted and/or historic commercial properties in Oklahoma City south of downtown. This area has six increment districts that may be started at any time within 10 years from the Project Plan adoption date.
Contact: Joanna McSpadden, Economic Development Program Manager, (405) 297-3879 or joanna.mcspadden@okc.gov.
- Increment District #2: Downtown/MAPS Tax Increment District
  - Created to capitalize on the original MAPS projects investments by promoting redevelopment in and around downtown. Created in 2000 and expiring in 2027. The project plan, originally adopted in 2000, was most recently amended in March 2023.
- Increment District #3: Skirvin Hotel Sales Tax Increment District
  - Helps to promote the redevelopment of the historic Skirvin Hotel downtown, now operated by Hilton. The renovated hotel is a jewel of the City's hospitality industry. Created in 2004 and expiring in 2030.
- Increment District #6: Las Rosas Residential Tax Increment District
  - This district helps promote infill housing development in the Las Rosas neighborhood. It helps capitalize on the MAPS for Kids investment in Wheeler Elementary School and also benefits Schilling Park. The project plan was adopted in 2005 and expiring in 2031.
- Increment District #8: Devon World Headquarters Tax Increment District
  - Infrastructure improvements funded by District 8 helped make possible the towering Devon Energy Center, the global headquarters of a key Oklahoma City employer. Created in 2008. The sales tax portion expired in 2013, and the ad valorem portion expires in 2034.
- Increment District #10: First National Center Tax Increment District
  - Created in 2016 to facilitate renovation of the historic First National Center building downtown. Expires in 2041.
- Increment District #14: First Americans Museum
  - Created in 2018 to facilitate development of the First Americans Museum and the property surrounding the museum site.
Contact: Kenton Tsoodle, Oklahoma City Redevelopment Authority, (405) 604-6780.
- Increment Districts
  - The amended and restated project plan for these districts was adopted December 20, 2016, and was amended on May 23, 2023. These TIF districts promote development in and around the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, spurring private investment by the healthcare, bioscience and technology industries.
Contact: Joanna McSpadden, Economic Development Program Manager, (405) 297-3879 or joanna.mcspadden@okc.gov.
- Increment District #9: Northeast Renaissance Tax Increment District
  - Funds generated from this district will be invested within the Northeast Renaissance Urban Renewal Plan area. The district will promote redevelopment of the NE 23rd Street corridor between Interstate 235 and the Oklahoma River. The project plan was adopted in 2015 and revised in 2019. It expires in 2041.
Contact: Joanna McSpadden, Economic Development Program Manager, (405) 297-3879 or joanna.mcspadden@okc.gov.
- Increment District #4: Oklahoma Riverfront Tax Increment District
- Increment District #5: Oklahoma Riverfront Sales Tax Increment District
  - These districts help support redevelopment along the Oklahoma River, and also for a Dell Computers employment center that employs hundreds of Oklahoma City residents. Districts No. 4 and 5 were adopted in 2005 and the project plan was amended in 2023, and they expire in 2031.
Contact: Joanna McSpadden, Economic Development Program Manager, (405) 297-3879 or joanna.mcspadden@okc.gov.
- Increment District #12: Western Gateway
  - District No. 12 was created Sept. 12, 2017, for the Western Gateway Project Plan Increment District labeled as A in the project plan.
  - The Western Gateway Project Plan was adopted Jan. 31, 2017, to transform a 150-acre inner-city area that used to house the downtown airpark into a mixed-use, urban neighborhood. Development plans call for 2,000 new housing units and offices, retail and other commercial spaces into a Main Street-style urban mixed use environment.
- Fiscal Year 2023