CRA's take the increase in taxes paid by local property owners and require them to be spent in the area of that property. The increase in taxes paid is based on the increase in property values on a year to year basis with zero $ being on the first year of the CRA and only increases in values will generate any money paid and used in the local.

The funds generated for a CRA are paid by property owners in the CRA and used to improve the CRA area which will increase property values and business activity.