The Town of Amherst has approved changes to a key bylaw that supports commercial development, shortening how long new projects can receive phased-in tax increases.
Hear the audio below:
Council gave final approval end of March to amendments to its Commercial Development Support Program, which had previously allowed developers to phase in higher property taxes over a ten-year period following new construction or major expansions.
Under the updated bylaw, that phase-in period will be reduced to five years, meaning new developments will reach full taxation more quickly.
The changes also introduce a cap of $100,000 per year on tax rebates, limiting how much support any one project can receive.
The program is designed to encourage investment by easing the initial tax burden on developers, particularly for larger or more costly projects.
By shortening the incentive period and capping rebates, the town appears to be adjusting the balance between attracting development and protecting municipal revenues.
The amendments will apply only to new agreements starting May 1, 2026. Existing agreements will continue under their original terms.
The update comes as the municipality looks for ways to support economic growth while managing long-term financial sustainability.
