Town officials said they hope to draw a large crowd to a workshop Thursday to examine two proposed tax increment financing programs in town.

“Our goal is to provide information about these two proposed TIFs to as many people as possible to ensure that voters are well informed by the time of the proposed special town meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 25,” the meeting announcement states. “Additionally, we want to create the best possible TIF plans by soliciting wide public input on their contents.”

A tax-increment financing district is a locally approved plan that allows municipalities to earmark property taxes for economic development or other specific municipal uses. When new commercial development happens, a town can set aside the new taxes generated by the increase in valuation on the property and shelter it from county taxes and from the valuation formula for state aid to education.

The two-hour session will include discussion of the possible formation of a Topsham Downtown TIF anchored by Main Street; and an affordable senior housing TIF for the redevelopment of the Amenity Manor property on Elm Street.

Topsham selectmen hired Planning Decisions Inc. in May to advise the town on the feasibility of forming a downtown TIF and, if found feasible, to draft a TIF agreement for consideration at a town meeting.

In June, selectmen directed staff to work with Seacoast Management and Developers Collaborative, who are proposing to demolish the former Amenity Manor building on Elm Street and build in its place an affordable senior housing facility.

Seacoast Management has purchased the Amenity Manor building. Any resulting affordable housing TIF agreement would work to support the operation costs of the project and is a component project developers say they would need as part of their application to the Maine State Housing Authority in their bid for tax credits to help fund the project.

At Thursday’s workshop, officials will outline and seek public input on possible projects that could be funded by TIF revenues, considerations in establishing TIF boundaries and how TIFs affect property taxes.

Any final TIF proposals require voter approval at a town meeting.

Both proposed TIFs will be up for public hearings during a special Board of Selectmen meeting Aug. 22, then would appear on a draft town meeting warrant Sept. 5 for selectmen to consider sending to voters at a special town meeting Sept. 25.

Thursday’s workshop starts at 6 p.m. at the municipal building, located at 100 Main St.

dmoore@timesrecord.com

TOPSHAM TIF TALK

What: Public forum

When: 6 p.m. Thursday

Where: Topsham Municipal Building, 100 Main St.