Transform the City of Cle Elum and receive a tax credit

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CLE ELUM – We are Cle Elum, the Heart of the Cascades. We began as a rugged mining and logging town high in the mountains of Washington. Timber harvested here built the booming cities to the west. Today, the forest is our playground where we hike, bike, snowmobile, and cross country ski. Our swift rushing streams, which inspired our name, along with our mountain lakes provide us places to fish, swim, and float.

Our downtown is a nostalgic look at roadside America. First Street brings back memories of days when fast food wasn’t so bland, and the landscape not so routine. Cle Elum Downtown Association (CEDA) is a non-profit, community organization, working to revitalize downtown Cle Elum, Washington, and promote the downtown business district as the community’s social, cultural and economic center. CEDA advances this mission by utilizing the Four-Point Main Street Approach developed by the National Main Street Center, emphasizing community organization, promotion, design and economic vitality. By applying this approach, CEDA is leading community-focused and grassroots efforts to re-imagine, develop and transform the City of Cle Elum beginning at its core. The mission of CEDA is to stand united with businesses, government, and community by providing strategies to grow and preserve our downtown.

We look to the future with great plans to preserve the best of this authentic place. Our aim is to be the Mountains’ Main Street – a charming walking district that connects our past with our future, provides opportunity for growth, and enhances our already amazing setting.

Get Involved

The CEDA meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, at 11 o’clock for two hours. These business meetings are where the committees review their work plans and projects. We would love to have community members involved with these committees to help move projects forward. Additionally, the CEDA holds quarterly socials to engage with the community, businesses and building owners.

Funding

The CEDA is a designated Main Street Organization that participates in the B&O Tax Incentive Program. The Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Program provides a Business & Occupation (B&O) credit for contributions given to the CEDA. Once a request for credit is approved by the Department of Revenue (DOR), that business is eligible for a tax credit worth 75% of the contribution to CEDA. Additionally, because the Cle Elum Downtown Association (CEDA) is a 501©(3), you may be eligible for a federal income tax deduction as a charitable contribution. This funding is then used for projects for the downtown association such as: community events, historic preservation measures, downtown assessments, beautification, flower basket program, community clean-up, pocket parks, and business assistance.

How do you actually get the tax Credit?

The business must be registered to file their state excise tax electronically. A request for credit must be filled out and submitted online. Make your contribution directly to the CEDA. The contribution can be spread out throughout the calendar year, but the full contribution must be made by November 15, 2018. The business must take the tax credit the following year. The first day to apply is Monday, January 8th, 2018.

Please Contact Amy McGuffin, Director of Tourism/Executive Director if you have any questions about the tax incentive program or if you would like more information on how to get involved with the Cle Elum Downtown Association. Office Hours at the Cle Elum Visitors Center are Tuesdays, from 10am until 4pm or you can email: amy@kittitascountychamber.com.