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JOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROTOCOL 1 Updated 2/17/2004 WHEREAS, Auburn and Lewiston are committed to pursuing economic development collaboratively in order to increase our ability to attract and maintain investment in our respective communities; and WHEREAS, competition for economic development can create barriers and be a hindrance to prospective developers; WHEREAS, Auburn and Lewiston desire to set forth uniform procedures to eliminate any real or perceived perception of a competitive environment in the pursuit of economic development opportunities; and WHEREAS, the City Councils of Auburn and Lewiston believe the role that each public, quasi-public, and private organization plays to promote the area and attract new investments that contribute to expanding employment and property tax base is properly set forth in the articulation of this policy, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, That the Cities of Auburn and Lewiston, the Lewiston/Auburn Economic Growth Council, the Auburn Business Development Corporation, and the Lewiston Development Corporation hereby subscribe to the Economic Development Protocol as set forth herein. New Business Inquires 1. When an individual or business contacts, LAEGC, it shall serve as a coordinating agent to inform the cities of the inquiry. If the inquiry is first made to either city, the information will be forwarded to LAEGC. 2. The City or LAEGC will focus on the prerequisite needs of the project. The client will be informed of opportunities that may exist in either Auburn or Lewiston. LAEGC should then prepare a project description and disseminate that information where appropriate. 3. The cities will work with LAEGC staff to put together a list of potential sites that address a client’s needs and the information will be forwarded to the clients. 4. As the list of potential sites becomes more focused and narrowed, LAEGC shall continue to work with the cities to identify potential issues and develop strategies to overcome impediments. 5. Once a site(s) is selected and incentives are considered, the City(ies) will present the proposal(s) to LAEGC. No counter offer will be submitted by either community to unfairly induce the development proposal. 6. It is recognized that many development projects are not the main focus of, nor consistent with, the stated purpose of LAEGC, such as housing and retail clients and are not subject to this protocol. ---PAGE BREAK--- JOINT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROTOCOL 2 Updated 2/17/2004 Existing L-A Businesses 1. The Cities of Lewiston and Auburn will not recruit businesses from the other city. 2. Preference in the project development process should be given to the host community. 3. If a City receives an inquiry from a business located in the other city, LAEGC will be informed and take a lead role, unless the client expresses a preference to the contrary. Tax Increment Finance Districts When the Cities are considering establishing a TIF for a prospective development, exceptions from the Joint TIF Policy may be agreed to if it is determined that it is in the best interest of either community to support business retention or attraction. If either City Council wishes to deviate from the Joint TIF Policy, it agrees to follow the Joint L/A Economic Development Protocol and agrees to work collaboratively on the presentation of the TIF proposal to prospective business. Notice of Intent to Withdraw If either City wishes to discontinue this joint approach to economic development, it must give the other City at least 60 days notice of its intent to withdraw from using the protocol. Periodic Review The Staff Protocol Committee will meet no less than twice per year to review any apparent variance. Unresolved variances will be presented to the LAEGC Planning Committee. This Protocol will be reviewed periodically by the Auburn and Lewiston City Councils and revised as necessary. Adopted by the City Council on April 21, 1998.