Attorney Kayla Hiller of Nowlan & Mouat was recently quoted in an article titled, “The Roadmap to Janesville’s Future: How FJI’s Aggressive Political Agenda Benefits You,” in the June 2009 issue of The Report, a publication produced by Forward Janesville, Inc. Hiller joined the group in June 1997 and currently volunteers as the chairperson of Forward Janesville’s Government Relations Council.

As reviewed in the article, Forward Janesville has developed four goals to help ensure Janesville’s revitalization: The Expansion of Interstate 39/90 to Six Lanes, Development Opportunity Zone (DOZ) Status for Janesville, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Reform; and State Tax Credit Portability and Refundability.

First, the group has made it a priority to get the expansion of Interstate 39/90 to six lanes into the plans of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation so a timeline for the project can be developed. An expanded interstate benefits Janesville by making it a more competitive business location for new companies to consider as well as increasing traffic of travelers who spend money in the area.

Second, creating Development Opportunity Zone status for Janesville would help bring more business and more jobs into the area, which would translate to more people in the community having more money to spend.

The third goal, Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Reform, has to do with tax reform and its aim is making state tax credit more flexible. Aiding business growth creates more and better paying jobs for the people in Janesville and generates more tax revenue for the city.

And finally, through State Tax Credit Portability and Refundability, the group strives to allow the city more flexibility in generating revenue to attract businesses. Base value reduction turns over revenue more quickly to the city, and TIF pooling acts as a type of emergency fund to use as an incentive to keep a large employer here, or to attract another one who would fill the space of a departing business.

Hiller encourages the public to add their input and voice their concerns regarding the goals: “Even if these concepts on the Roadmap are not ideas that current members believe would have a specific impact on their businesses, resulting in improving the business climate for them, we’d like to hear what they think would help. We’re looking for ideas. As a matter of fact, the four priorities that are articulated on the Roadmap are a culmination of ideas from members and professionals who know these are attainable goals that will have a real-world impact on businesses locating in Janesville and our ability to attract those businesses here.”

In addition, Hiller and about 50 others visited the State Capitol on March 25 to talk about Janesville’s Roadmap to the Future and make the legislators aware of the serious situation in which Janesville finds itself.  “We encountered great reception,” says Hiller. “I was very surprised by the interest we received from legislators from all over our state. One legislator, Rep. Mike Huebsch of the 94th District, was really very forthcoming in sharing information about the legislative process in terms of how we can go about actually implementing these ideas. He was welcoming with getting on board and assisting with shepherding the DOZ idea forward.”

Hiller says Forward Janesville is important to her because it leads efforts to ensure the continued health and prosperity of business and industry in the Janesville area. “As a partner in and owner of a small business, I understand our firm’s success is largely dependent on the growth and success of other people and businesses in this community,” she says. “Because its members collectively pool resources to lead community economic development efforts, Forward Janesville has a huge role in making Janesville a great place to live, work, and play!”

Hiller is a former community economic development planner for a council of governments in South Dakota and practices in the areas of business, real estate, creditor/debtor rights, and estate planning. A graduate of the University of South Dakota and the University of Wisconsin Law School, Hiller serves on the Janesville Performing Arts Center and is a past president of the Rock County Bar Association.