The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - Columbia REA has donated $50,000 to the Dayton Development Task Force as part of a local tax incen- tive program that was recently approved by the state.

The money will be used in the Task Force's efforts to im- prove the economic health of downtown Dayton. In return, Columbia REA will receive a 75% credit on their Public Utilities Taxes paid to the state in 2014.

Columbia REA CEO Les Teal said he felt that the tax in- centive program was an excellent way for the co-op to make a difference in Dayton. "We're part of this community, and it's important to us to help make it better," he said.

This year, the Task Force became eligible for the first time to participate in Washington State's business and occupations tax incentive program. The program allows businesses in the state who donate to downtown programs that adhere to the National Main Street Program guidelines, to receive a credit on their B&O or P.U.T. the following year.

After Columbia REA receives its credit against its P.U.T. payments next year, the co-op's net cost for the donation will be $12,500.

The Task Force celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. The group is responsible for many important past projects in downtown Dayton, includ- ing the renovation of Main Street in the early 1990s and launching the group who renovated Liberty Theater later that decade. They have also completed smaller projects, including building the Lewis and Clark Campsite replica west of Dayton, upgrading the west end of Main Street and installing the playground near the Dayton Historic Depot.

According to the guide- lines of the tax incentive program, money donated must be used for activities that further the "Four Point Program" of the National Main Street Program. These include: organization, pro- motion, design and economic restructuring. A geographic boundary was established in Dayton, within which all tax incentive money must be used.

The Task Force has re- ceived a total of nearly $70,000 in donations this year, in spite of not introduc- ing the program until November. The program has a cap of $133,000 in donations per year. Task Force Presi- dent Bette Lou Crothers says she hopes that, starting in 2014, the group will be able to reach its cap each year.