Town Center and Barrington Common Funding

Central to the Select Board's efforts to achieve the Town Center vision in 2023/2024 was the acquisition of Map 239, Lot 7.  This 13-acre lot known as 'Barrington Common' is at the center of the Town Center and will become the keystone of Barrington's center.  Voters approved this acquisition at Town Meeting in 2024 (Article #24) along with a funding mechanism to pay for it (Tax Increment Financing, TIF).  As the Barrington Center Development Committee (BC#DC) engages with the community to implement the Town Center vision and establish Barrington Common, funding will remain a central part of the discussion.  The mission of the BC#DC includes operating with transparency and fiscal restraint.  This page provides funding details for Town Center and Barrington Common initiatives.

Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

At Town Meeting in 2024, voters established Barrington's first Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) as a funding mechanism for achieving the Town Center vision.  More information about the TIF District can be found here: www.barrington.nh.gov/TIF.  

As a funding mechanism, this district will capture new value each year (from within the district) and taxes paid on that new value will be available for reinvestment within the district.  This funding mechanism is temporary, lasting only eight years.  Additionally, this district is small; encompassing only part of Barrington's Town Center.  In 2024 the captured value within the TIF District is $3,275,144 where new value Town-wide was $34,431,502.  Using the 2023 tax rate, the tax value of the new development within the TIF District is approximately $55,000.  The capture value (and tax value) will continue to grow as new development occurs within the approved district.  

Grants

Following the COVID-19 pandemic there has been an influx of available grant dollars for recreation and community purposes.  Barrington has been able to secure valuable grant award for projects like the community center renovation, the new recreation van, and other initiatives.  Achieving the vision of the Town Center and specifically the development of Barrington Common aligns with many of these grant programs.

In the spring of 2024, staff submitted a $3,000,000 proposal for Community Project Funding (CPF) to Congressman Pappas's office for the Barrington Common project.  On May 14, 2024, we were informed that Congressman Pappas will be presenting this proposal as one of his selected projects for the FY2025 federal budget cycle.  Details are available here: https://pappas.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/pappas.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/Barrington_Commons_Finanical_Certification[1].pdf.  This request must progress through the entire legislative process for the federal budget.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds

The Select Board used a portion of the Town's federal stimulus (ARPA) towards the deposits and early payments for the Barrington Common lot purchase.

As of July 8, 2024, the Select Board had committed $200,000 of ARPA funds for the Town Center and Barrington Common lot.

Other

As progress continues, all funding sources will be explored.  Below is a list of possible funding sources:
  • Fundraising
  • Sponsorship
  • Sale or License of Property
  • Warrant Articles