Startup costs are often an obstacle to many new businesses, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. One of those costs is hooking up to a sewer system. Because restaurants have significant impact on the sanitary sewer system, they face much higher Sewer System Development Charges (SDC) than other commercial, non-restaurant projects.
Earlier this year the City Council determined that it was important to reduce those high upfront sewer fees to encourage more restaurants to open their doors in Troutdale. The Council voted to waive 100% of sewer SDCs for new “sit-down” restaurants and the expansion of existing restaurants beginning on January 1, 2022.
The incentive period will run through June 30, 2023 to allow time for the planning, development and launch of new restaurants within the City of Troutdale.
This is just the most recent move the City has made to fulfill the overall goal. An already existing program currently provides a 60% subsidy on sewer SDCs for new food and beverage establishments of all types within Troutdale. That program will sunset on December 31, 2021.
Troutdale residents have long expressed to the City Council a strong desire for more restaurant options within in our City. There has also been increased interest in food and beverage projects in the downtown from the development community.
For more information on Sewer SDC incentives, please contact Troutdale Economic Development Coordinator marlee.boxler [at] troutdaleoregon.gov (Marlee Boxler) at 971-280-0394.