An expansion to the revitalization tax exemption in Kamloops could be on the table in 2021.

Council has had preliminary discussions about expanding the program to include new industrial buildings, and developers who restore derelict buildings. They’ve also discussed including daycares and multi-family rentals as eligible uses.

Kamloops Chamber president Tyson Andrykew says the program also encourages infill, instead of urban sprawl.

“If we can infill, fill in those undesirable pieces of land or land that maybe requires some more investment from the developers. If we can incentivize that in any way, then it’s a win-win in my opinion,” Andreykew says.

“And ultimately it’s in the city’s best interest to look at these measures as well. It saves the developers from having to extend on the outskirts of the city, in areas that don’t necessarily have sewage, water, and so on and so forth, which only increases the service costs for the city.”

The tax exemption gives developers a break on their property taxes for up to 10 years, as an incentive for certain developments and for developing less-desirable pieces of land, like former gas station properties that need to be monitored for contamination.

The Chamber said last year it had planned to ask the city to expand its revitalization tax exemption bylaw, saying the bylaw as it was written was limiting.