The current economic slowdown has put on hold a tax increment financing district that was formed to stimulate growth in Eudora and add to a badly needed business tax base.

The project – 271 acres on Eudora’s eastern side – was approved by the Eudora Planning Commission in August 2007.

However, a nationwide economic slowdown has caused interest on the part of businesses to wane, and now TIF developer Wilson and Hoover Homes LLC estimate the project won’t start for at least another year.

Creation of the district would allow developers of Deer Valley subdivision to divert sales and property taxes to finance infrastructure improvements.

Initially, Wilson and Hoover Homes was going to develop the residential area, but the amount of interest from businesses prompted the company to include a proposed strip mall in the TIF district.

The developers currently are looking for businesses such as medical, professional, restaurants, day care, gasoline stations and a bank to fill spaces, according to Jimmy Hoover, managing member of Wilson and Hoover Homes.

“It will happen; it’s just timing,” he said. “The way the economy is, it’s slow.”