CDFA Founder Paul Gravel Passes Away
Paul Stewart Gravel, long time CDFA supporter, board member and one of the original founders of the Council passed away September 1, 2006 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Gravel was 61 years old. Paul received his bachelor of arts and jurist doctorate from LSU and spent the first several years of his career working in Washington DC in a number of legislative capacities before moving back to New Orleans to run a private investment firm. During his long and distinguished career, Paul is best remembered for his 13-year term as the Executive Director of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority. During his time with LPFA Paul worked tirelessly to help start CDFA and his influence on the shape and direction of CDFA is evident today. Those who knew Paul have characterized him as a ‘great leader and a great man”. He will be dearly missed and CDFA extends its sympathies and best wishes to his family and friends.
Call for Annual Summit Session and Speaker Proposals
Deadline November 2nd
CDFA seeks development finance industry presentation for the 2007 CDFA Annual Development Finance Summit to be held in Miami, Florida next May 22-24. CDFA is looking for best practice and cutting edge development finance topics and presentations for 60 to 90 minute presentations. Proposed sessions should be comprehensive in nature and provide a comprehensive overview of the tool, program or best practice being covered. CDFA is looking for presentations that will meet the educational needs of a diverse audience including sessions covering urban/rural development finance and topics that cut across socio-economic sectors. CDFA welcomes session topics and best practice demonstrations from a wide range of subject matter
August 2006 Headlines:

Partner Sought for Toll Road
Posted on Wednesday, August 30, 2006
By Elizabeth Albanese

Rates Shift May Lead to Refundings Increase
Posted on Thursday, September 07, 2006
By Matthew Hanson

N.Y.C. IDA Gets New Executive Director, OKs $68M of Deals
Posted on Wednesday, September 13, 2006
By Ted Phillips

Myrtle Beach, S.C. Readies Sale for TIF District
Posted on Tuesday, September 26, 2006
By Tedra DeSue

IRS Releases Guidelines For Mixed-Use Facilities
Posted on Tuesday, September 26, 2006
By Alison L. McConnell

CDFA's TIF Coalition Featured in Illinois Tax Increment Association Newsletter
Research & Events Recognized by ITIA
The Illinois Tax Increment Association (ITIA) has featured CDFA’s Tax Increment Finance Coalition (TIFC) in its past two newsletters. The ITIA is a state membership organization representing municipalities and governmental entities, corporations, partnerships, associations and individuals engaged in or interested in tax increment finance. CDFA was featured in the Summer 2006 newsletter with references to the new research the TIFC has conducted on national TIF legislation. Laura Radcliff, CDFA member and TIFC supporter wrote an excellent article in the Fall 2006 newsletter highlighting the coalition’s events and activities in Austin, Texas this past May. CDFA would like to thank the ITIA for this recognition and looks forward to working together on tax increment issues in the future.

Featured Resource: Special Districts Tab Now Available
Assessments, BIDs and other Taxing Areas Profiled in TIF Resource Library
The Tax Increment Finance Resource Library has added a new section dedicated to special districts. With some of these mechanisms used in combination with TIF and others standing alone, this is yet another directory of tools for communities seeking targeted area improvements. Special assessment districts such as community development districts (CDDs), community facilities districts (CFDs), business improvement districts (BIDs) and special improvement districts (SIDs) are among the programs featured. Please visit the TIF Resource Library and click the 'Special Districts' tab or simply follow this link:
Examining the Best Method of Sale for IDBs
Competitive, negotiated and private placement in bond sales all have pros and cons and depend greatly on the type of project and issuance needs of all parties involved. This Learning Corner article examines the best method of sale for qualified small issue bonds (aka: IDBs) and provides guidance for issuers to consider when determine which method of sale is most beneficial.
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) Summary of Requirements
A comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen regional economies. The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) has released a new fact sheet on the CEDS program. The fact sheet provides a comprehensive overview of how communities can take advantage of this great planning program and details resources for starting the process.
Peer-based Technical Assistance
CDFA technical assistance is a fee service available to organizations and communities in the development finance industry. Technical assistance ranges from helping clients develop and apply specific financing tools to sharing successful models from other geographic areas. The program utilizes a peer-based approach, drawing advisory teams from an expert network of CDFA members and affiliates. Teams work directly with clients through site visits and interviews, and conduct research to reinforce recommendations.

Strategic planning, advisory seminars, workshops, and custom research are available within the budget of organizations small and large. Whether your group issues bonds, facilitates small business development, or manages incentive programs, CDFA can shed new light on existing activities and provide directions for the future. For more information, please contact CDFA or visit the program webpage.

The Tax Increment Financing Practice & Policy Symposium (November 7 in Baltimore) is an interactive event focusing on model applications in TIF and highlighting the industry’s most pressing issues. Dissect a TIF deal from start to finish, from the community vision and redevelopment plan to bond issuance and post-project monitoring. Also explore community and public policy issues, including guidelines for effective policy, issues to consider before issuing bonds, and the emerging economic development vs. corporate welfare debate.>>>LEARN MORE
The Tax Credit Finance Course (November 8-9 in Baltimore) provides an in-depth examination of the application of tax credit programs in greater economic development finance efforts. This is the second year that CDFA has offered this course. Last year's course was a sell-out so please register early to secure your place at this event. >>>LEARN MORE
The Advanced Bond Finance Course (February 22-23, 2007 in Washington, DC) provides in-depth information about municipal finance issues, techniques, and tools of interest to practitioners with an understanding of tax-exempt financing. This course discusses and explores advanced topics and techniques being used across the country today. >>>LEARN MORE
The Annual Summit (May 22-24, 2007 in Miami, FL) is the premier development finance industry event of the year. Featuring dozens of sessions, workshops, distinguished speakers and presentations on a wide variety of finance topics, the Summit provides economic developers, finance professionals, private sector leaders and community advocates a prime opportunity for networking, education and information sharing. >>>LEARN MORE


ACA Capital - New York, NY

ARD Government Finance Group - Arlington, VA

Matanuska-Susitna Borough - Palmer, AK

Stone & Youngberg LLC - Richmond, VA

MuniCap, Inc. - Ellicott City, MD

City of Burleson, TX



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