There’s a reasonable debate surrounding whether tax increment financing incentives are good public policy.

Opponents argue we should not have to bribe private developers for projects that will already make them handsome profits.

Proponents counter that in a competitive atmosphere in which communities compete for prime development, cities must do what they can to attract growth, even if it means sweetening the pot by refunding property taxes.

Most often, the goal for TIFs is to attract jobs to the area. But, in the case of desirable retail development, there are other issues that should be considered.

Auburn is proposing a TIF of $1.75 million for a developer working to bring a Kohl’s department store and at least two restaurants to the city. It’s important to consider each requested TIF on its own merits, balancing the financial demands it places upon the city with the potential for a positive outcome.

In this case, we encourage the city council to OK the tax breaks when it meets Monday.

Even with the TIF, the city is still likely to see an increase in its property tax revenues. The project will create new jobs, even if they’re not the high-paying, high-tech or manufacturing jobs we’d most like to see.

But most of all, the deal will help expand the retail base in Lewiston and Auburn. As the Sun Journal found last year when it examined the retail environment in the Twin Cities, residents are forced to drive north to Augusta, south to Portland or east to Freeport for much of their shopping. As it stands, many national retailers are not represented here.

By encouraging retail development, Auburn is helping to fill an important need in the community. A strong retail environment makes a place more livable and attractive, factors that encourage other types of economic development.

Giving developers a tax incentive to build isn’t always a good idea, but in the case of the Kohl’s project we believe it’s the right choice.