Hopewell Township's Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) #2, may have a misleading name, as there is only one CRA in Hopewell Township. This CRA was established prior to the 1994 change in state law; such a CRA is often referred to as a "pre-1994" CRA. Please refer to the
main article on CRAs for general information. This article provides information on the benefits and process for obtaining a CRA tax exemption in Hopewell Township's CRA #2. (Find a map of the CRA here.)
Benefits - Fixed
In a pre-1994 CRA, the benefit levels are fixed and not subject to negotiation or approval by any legislative body. They are as follows:
- Renovation of residential property (two units or less) - 10 years, 100 percent
- Renovation of residential (more than two units), commercial or industrial property - 12 years, 100 percent
- New construction of residential, commercial, or industrial property - 15 years, 100 percent
Process
- Step 1 - Contact Nick Dutro at TSEP, dutro@tiffinseneca.org or by cell at 419.767.0328 Nick can verify the project is in the CRA and help determine if there are any other resources that can help the project.
- Step 2 - Draft and send a quick "letter of intent." Once Step 1 has been completed, an email and/or letter should be sent to Nick for Seneca County Auditor Julie Adkins (jadkins@seneca-county.com). It needs to identify the parcels involved, amount of investment, business doing the investment, and timing.
- Step 3 - Complete the project.
- Step 4 - Fill out and submit application to Nick. He will review the application and verify the project has been completed. Application should include a copy of the Building Permit and Occupancy Permit (for commercial properties) and record of the work done and costs associated, with either supporting documents or a written and signed affidavit. This document will need to equal the total cost of the abatement being sought. The housing officer may make an inspection of the property to confirm that the stated improvements were completed.
- Step 5 - The housing officer will send completed application to the school district. There is a 14-day waiting period after the letter is received.
- Step 6 - Completed application will be sent to the County Auditor for review, and if the project is eligible and the application is complete, she will issue a letter notifying the applicant that the project (property improvements) will be exempted.
Program Contact
For additional information or questions, please contact Nick Dutro, Development Manager at TSEP, dutro@tiffinseneca.org or by cell at 419.767.0328
