As we step into 2026, Becker Professional Services is proud to reflect on a year of meaningful partnerships, forward‑thinking community projects, and the continued growth of our impact across Wisconsin and beyond. The first quarter offers a chance not only to look ahead, but to celebrate the momentum built throughout 2025—momentum fueled by collaboration, strategic planning, and a shared commitment to strengthening communities. In this issue, we spotlight key redevelopment efforts such as The Shop Lofts in Stoughton, explore ongoing municipal initiatives like the Town of Washington’s incorporation review, and highlight our data‑driven support for the Great Lakes Inter‑Tribal Council. We also take a closer look at the evolving landscape of Tax Incremental Financing. Together, these stories show how strategic leadership and practical solutions create meaningful, measurable impact across our communities. Thank you for being part of our work. We look forward to another year of collaboration and progress—planning with you, not for you—to build strong, resilient communities across the region.
Community Highlights from Quarter 4
The Shop Lofts – Stoughton: Historic Preservation and Community Connections
The transformation of 211 S. Water Street into The Shop Lofts demonstrates how vision and practical solutions can revitalize a community. Becker Professional Services supported local developers by structuring creative financing strategies, including tax increment financing and leveraging both Federal and Wisconsin Historic Preservation Tax Credit programs. These tools, combined with Becker’s expertise in redevelopment financing, made it possible to preserve Stoughton’s heritage while creating modern living spaces.
Town of Washington Incorporation: Long Vision Planning
On December 17, 2025, the Wisconsin Department of Administration’s Incorporation Review Board held a public hearing to review the Town of Washington’s petition for incorporation. Background materials informing the Board’s discussion were prepared by Gary Becker of Becker Professional Services. The petition—previously approved in circuit court—was formally submitted to the Department of Administration and is now in the state’s 180‑day review period. If approved, the process will move to a town‑wide referendum.
Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council: Data Insights for Economic Development Strategy
Becker Professional Services is supporting the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council with its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) update through compiling and analyzing data about the region (the 11 federally-recognized tribal communities in Wisconsin). Drawing on prior work with the Wisconsin Indigenous Housing and Economic Development Corporation, Becker brings insight into tribal needs and programs that will strengthen the study’s findings.
Keeping an eye on TIF Legislative Changes
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WI SB696 TID valuation limit (the “12 percent rule”): Under current law, when creating a new TID or amending a TID, a city or village must make a finding that the equalized value of taxable property of the new or amended TID, plus the value increment of all existing TIDs in the city or village, does not exceed 12 percent of the total equalized value of taxable property in the city or village. The bill would increase that limit to 18 percent.
Wisconsin AB 451 which would create a new Residential Tax Increment District (TID) category, has passed the Assembly (88–7 on October 7, 2025) and is now pending in the Senate, where a public hearing has already been held. The bill would allow cities and villages to use TIF exclusively for single‑family and two‑family owner‑occupied housing, subject to strict standards for lot size, setbacks, and home size.
Service Highlight: Tax Incremental Financing
Driving Community Growth
Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) is a critical tool for revitalizing communities and funding infrastructure. By capturing future property tax increments, municipalities can reinvest in public improvements, attract private investment, and stimulate economic development.
Why TIF Matters:
- Enables projects that wouldn’t happen without TIF support.
- Funds roads, utilities, and site preparation for redevelopment.
- Strengthens local economies through housing, jobs, and commercial growth.
Becker Professional Services partners with municipalities and developers to make TIF work—providing expertise in district creation, financial modeling, compliance, and long-term management including TIF request analysis. Our approach ensures projects align with statutory requirements and community priorities.
What Did This Look Like in 2025?
From creating new Tax Increment Districts to guiding amendments and conducting “but for” analyses, Becker delivered a full suite of TIF services last year.
Here is a breakdown of TIF services that helped communities thrive:
Becker’s TIF work covers the full picture—from planning to implementation
In 2025, our services combined strategic TIF guidance with hands‑on technical expertise. We help communities manage all aspects of TIF—from pre-planning to creation, implementation of projects and TIF request analysis, amendments, and extensions — helping municipalities effectively utilize this important tool for economic development and community growth.
If your community or organization is facing new challenges or planning for growth —let’s build practical, community‑focused solutions together.
Becker Professional Services, LLC is a community planning and economic development services firm that exists to help communities become more resilient, innovative, and collaborative, so they can solve their most pressing challenges.