EAA reconsiders asking for TIF money

In a pleasant, yet somewhat surprising move, the Experimental Aircraft Association has decided - at least for now - to withdraw its request seeking tax incremental financing assistance for its expansion project. According to this article in today's Oshkosh Northwestern EAA CEO Tom Poberezny has said it's not 100 percent definite that the organization will never seek TIF financing, but it's not in their plans at this time. The article goes on to say that the request was pulled after it received heavy criticism from some city councilors and the public.

One of those councilors was Tony Palmeri, who has long fought for the use of TIF monies ONLY when the development would not occur without it, one of the requirements for TIF. In this particular case, it was believed, EAA did not need or even qualify for the TIF, since it had said from the beginning that the project would occur - albeit on a slightly scaled-back level and/or at a somewhat slower pace. That apparently still is the case.

I personally like EAA and see the value of having them in our community, but am glad the organization has pulled its request in this particular case. I am all for using TIF when it meets the requirements for which TIF is intended (and as long as it's not the only tool used to spur development). But clearly, that was not the case here. Kudos to common councilors like Tony Palmeri (and Paul Esslinger) for challenging this project as an appropriate use for obtaining financial assistance using taxpayer monies. Kudos also to EAA for being committed to doing the project nonetheless, but finding financial means other than taxpayer assistance with which to do it. I'm sure the expansion will be a welcome addition to both locals and out-of-town guests when eventually completed.