FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Dark shops, boarded buildings, and mostly empty strip malls. Vacant spaces are scattered throughout Fresno's tower district.

"When we have buildings that are vacant, it gives people who are not as familiar with our community the idea that it's not safe or that it is not thriving economically, and it does hurt our other businesses," says Cami Cipolla, Executive Director Tower Business Association.

Riddled with challenges, city leaders are tasked with finding new ways to bring in opportunity.

On Thursday, the city council unanimously approved a new incentive, a 50% rebate on the sales tax for each new business that fills a vacant storefront in the Tower District.

This is part of a 12 month pilot program with an emphasis on family friendly options, and excludes l

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