Commissioners have agreed to loan $800,000 for a small business venture here, and now are moving forward on a $7.6 million amateur sports complex that supposedly will bring a hotel to I-10 and SR 59 in Lloyd. None ever materialized, however the taxpayer was saved when another company bought the property and paid back the tax money spent. In neighboring Jefferson County, the taxpayer spent over $100K on some land for a business that promised around 80 jobs. These “wars” create the mindset that if we don’t spend it, someone else will. I disagree with the author in that we do not need more laws, but he is spot-on by saying “For several decades we have been conducting an economic-policy experiment in state and local governments, and now it’s time to stop the testing because the results are clear: The dominant paradigm, incentive-fueled competition among these governments, does not create economic prosperity.” Īnother lost battle (for the taxpayer & free market) in the economic development war. I’ve seen government tax dollars spent any many worse ways. Right or wrong seems to me if south side was hell bent on a supermarket in that location something had to be done. You can’t expect a business to open if infrastructure repairs are not worth their return on investment. My partner said even Piggly wiggly was hesitant about the size of the space. Speaking with someone at Famu I was told that due to the small size of the building it was very difficult to recruit a lot of grocery companies to that space. I also know from people that live on that side of town ( friends, realitives, business associates at Famu ) that Winn Dixie is ripping the consumer off with very high prices. I also know they closed ( Winn Dixie ) and made it very difficult for the landlord to get them out of a closed building. This took extensive work and was very expensive to replace. I personally know through my business partner that when Winn Dixie pulled out they cemented all the drains, cut all the electrical wiring and tore all the permanent storage coolers out. The interior renovations are currently underway with an opening planned for late February or early March. It is unfair competition and unwise use of tax dollars.”ĬRA staff reported to the CRA that since the closing of the Harvey’s supermarket in the Southside Shopping Center in March 2014, there has been strong interest in finding a replacement full-service grocery store for this part of the Southside community. They voted overwhelmingly to grant Piggly Wiggly $205,000 for interior renovations in a shopping center. Cogen currently operates four Piggly Wiggly supermarkets in the Florida Panhandle and South Georgia, including a store in Quincy.” City Commissioner Scott MaddoxĬity Commissioner Scott who voted against the measure, said “once again the CRA is picking winners and losers in the free market. is requesting $205,000 in City of Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) grant funds to assist in the renovation of the former Harvey’s Grocery Store in the Southside Shopping Center at 2526 South Monroe Street into a Piggly Wiggly supermarket. Today the Community Redevelopment Agency voted to give $205,000 in tax revenue to the company which is locating a Piggly Wiggly’s at the former home of a Harvey’s grocery store.Ĭity Commissioners Gil Ziffer and Scott Maddox were the only two no votes.ĬRA staff reported to elected officials that:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |