FARMINGTON – Franklin County would receive an average of more than $1 million a year in new taxes if a 20-year tax-increment financing agreement for the Kibby Ridge wind farm is approved, one scenario asserts.

This is one scenario based on a $220 million assessed state value of the project, if TransCanada moves forward to build a commercial 44-turbine wind farm in Kibby and Skinner townships.

The total project is estimated to cost $270 million.

County commissioners are beginning negotiations with TransCanada for a possible TIF. No decisions have been made.

Revenue gained under a TIF could be split between the county and TransCanada or retained 100 percent by the county for economic development. Whatever the county gains would have to be spent in unorganized territory.

TransCanada project manager Nick Di domenico said previously that the Canadian-based company was interested in a tax-increment financing program similar to one established for a Washington County wind farm. That TIF, the first in the state for an unorganized territory, was set up so that 60 percent went back to the project and Washington County kept 40 percent.

Consultant Greg Mitchell, hired by commissioners to help negotiate a tax deal and guide commissioners through the process, recommended Tuesday where the TIF boundary could be set.

He explained, using a map, that the TIF district could cover the unorganized territory and power transmission corridor.

Mitchell also presented a list of unorganized territory TIF investment options for discussion and added to the list as people made suggestions. The TIF could include areas commissioners would like to invest in and what percentage they would invest in it.

Among options for investment in unorganized territory or prorated if serving entire county, were scenic byways improvements such as signs, scenic lookouts, access roads to public ski areas, industrial development areas and public safety equipment.

Other investment options discussed were tourism planning, marketing economic development, including Greater Franklin Development Corp. dues, and business recruitment marketing, commercial revolving loans, county match for grants and TIF administration cost.

Mitchell said he was confident that those items could be done with TIF revenues.

Some items need to be researched as investment possibilities, he said, such as infrastructure for Maine Hut and Trail improvements, the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Appalachian Trail, Dead River/Benedict Arnold Trail and work force training.

Other options mentioned were snowmobile infrastructure, east-west highway, grants to businesses for economic development, and environmental and conservation projects.

Rangeley Town Manager Perry Ellsworth, along with other town managers, brought up again that they support alternative energy but are concerned about the impact on their towns’ share of the county budget.

“One of the things we recognize is that we need to achieve some balance,” Mitchell said.

Commissioner Fred Hardy said they’re not talking about giving away the whole tax structure. He said investing in economic development is high on his priority list.

Commissioners decided to postpone holding a public information session until more negotiation is done and no sooner than April 29. There will also be a public hearing scheduled on the TIF prior to county commissioners voting on it, if they decide to move forward with it.

Commissioner Gary McGrane of Jay said the commission wants to keep the process transparent and to keep the public informed.