Sterling hires lobbyist to secure designation providing up to $50M in economic development tax incentives

STERLING — The Sterling City Council has hired Matt Hughes from the lobbying firm MRH Solutions to assist in securing a designation that, if approved, could provide millions of dollars in additional funding for city development.

The council approved the hiring Tuesday during a special City Council meeting.

The River Edge Redevelopment Zone Act is legislation encouraging economic growth through redevelopment and revitalization projects that are typically in areas along waterfronts. RERZ provides tax incentives for investors and municipalities. If approved, it could provide nearly $50 million in tax incentives through the riverfront work that the city has already started.

According to the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, once a city is designated, certain areas are allocated as a “River Edge Redevelopment Zone.” Investors and businesses that develop in these zones are eligible for several tax incentives, including property tax abatements and sales tax exemptions.

If approved, the designation could mean years of additional growth and funding for Sterling. The city has agreed to pay Hughes $3,000 per month to advocate for the designation on its behalf.

“Matt is very experienced in this sort of thing,” Mayor Diana Merdian said. “He even helped Moline and two others in the Quad-Cities receive the designation earlier this year.”