The first article linked on this post covers a local election.
In Wheeling, election will focus on economic development
Three candidates vying for the Wheeling village presidency April 7 agree the economy is the most pressing issue and that the village should monitor its spending to prepare for leaner times.
The differences lie, somewhat, in how they would pursue improving the village's economy.
Okay... candidate #1 you are up...
Judy Abruscato, 72, has been a village trustee for 22 years and a longtime member of local organizations like Rotary and the Lions Club.
Abruscato said her main initiative, if elected, would be increasing retail and commercial development in order to strengthen Wheeling's tax base.
Why not just institute a 'Shop Here!' program??
Now... candidate #2...
Patrick Horcher, 45, is the other sitting village trustee in the president's race, with 14 years on the board.
He said his priority would be making sure every applicant who comes before the board is treated fairly, which he says hasn't always happened.
"I want us to be very friendly to business," he said. "We have a lot of businesses that come in and they want to take advantage of our industry."
Horcher said he would advocate lowering the village's sales tax.
Wow... around here talk like that makes you an extremist to some.
Candidate #3...
Kolssak, 39, said his main economic priorities are redeveloping vacant land, and improving the village's strained relationships with its neighbors and other government agencies such as the local schools and the park and library districts.
"I just think it's time for a new style of leadership ... one that isn't mired by all the existing politics," he said. "I think it's time for some new ideas. The main thing I want to do is establish these collaborative partnerships with a lot of the agencies that are involved with the village."
Kolssak said he would like the village to offer new and existing businesses incentives to stay and grow in town.
Now that's just crazy talk right there (not really). Tough choices if economic development is important to you and how you decide to vote.
Next...
New Livingston economic development chief already has ideas for I-55
The newly named head of a Livingston County economic development group already says he has ideas for using Interstate 55 to spur growth in the area.
“Immediately I saw the opportunity that exists in relation to transportation routes with the access to Interstate 55 and five interchanges along that interstate,” Larry Vaupel said. “Those are great assets that we will be using to attract businesses.”
...
Livingston County has many qualities that could help attract business, such as enjoying proximity to larger metropolitan areas while still maintaining an “extraordinary quality of life,” Vaupel said.
...
The current financial climate in the nation is a concern, but communities which seek out economic development can prevail, Vaupel said.
“It certainly doesn’t make your job easier, but it makes the job more important than ever,” he said. “These communities that are strategic in their effort to attract economic development usually win in these times.”
When you are done there, Mr. Vaupel... we could use a person like you around here.
Next...
New jobs coming to Fayetteville : Arkansas Western Gas moving call center to town in July
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Steve Clark, president of the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce, said the announcement is great news for Fayetteville, especially since the new jobs come during times of economic downturn.
"Those are going to be good-paying jobs, those are not going to be minimum wage," Clark said.
He added that anytime new jobs come to a city, they lift the economy by bringing in new people and even boosting sales tax collections because the new people are spending money in the city.
"This is proof that the glass is getting more full," Clark said.
...
Mayor Lioneld Jordan agreed.
"I think that's wonderful," he said when told of the news. "I think there's a whole new change in the atmosphere. Anytime there's job creation in the city, I think that brings a certain optimism to the town."
And now the piece de resistance...
Breathing new life into RP's 'Economic Development' plan
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Gugliotta sees “networking” as a solution these days. “In today’s political, social and economic climate most of us react by cutting advertising, travel and marketing expenses. This seems like a normal business procedure (but) it’s what we need to do as tougher times hit us.
“The results of course are different than we expect,” he added. “The income streams will start to dry up and of course our anxiety level usually goes through the roof. Many of us think that since there’s nothing we can do, we should just do nothing. But ‘nothing’ is really futile thinking, isn’t it?”
I could easily go on and copy and paster more juicy local economic development news making current headlines... just not in Kingman... for now.
All right... just one more...
Cleveland, Tennessee Lands "Major Economic Development Project," Jobs
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Back in December, Bradley County commissioners voted to give an "unnamed" business a 50% tax cut for 25 years should it locate in the county. That "unnamed" business reportedly could create 600 jobs at a one-billion dollar plant possibly to be built in the county owned Hiwassee Industrial park.
Hurry to the half off sale if you bring 600 jobs to the area!! I like it!!
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