The Regional Economic Councils set up by the Governor have created relationships that didn't exist before and that's always a good thing. It has also forced communities to look at collaborative efforts...All that's fine.
On the negative side, there is a lot of rolling of eyes, even among those participating and among state staffers supporting the effort. It's still a mindset of getting the state to pay for things localities or businesses don't want to pay for.
Presentations this week from ten councils to a panel deciding who has the best plan have attracted some attention, but for most people in the regions, its like this debate over PILOTS and Fort Drum housing...Very much a game for the insiders.
The fundamental truth of economic development is that it is all designed to mask the overall hostile business climate in this state. The rest of us pay so someone else can get a break...That's because often the barriers to entry (such as building housing) is so high because of various regulatory issues.
This housing issue needs to be resolved as rightly or wrongly our fate is linked to Fort Drum and we cannot afford to send the message that there is no room at the Inn, because there are other Inns in other states.
The synergism of a Regional Council might help bring that issue into focus, but make no mistake, many feel the Councils are a goat rope. Don't get me wrong. I am glad to have attended and met new people, but its easy to get caught up in the hype and Powerpoints with these things.
Am I being too candid ?
Watertown Daily Times Regional council presents economic plan to panel of state judges
4 comments:
This is just the latest fad to waste our hard earned tax dollars .
The whole process is a sham and will result in squat but is a nicey nice spin for the plutocrats and bree and chardonnay crowd to chat about at their Christmas parties.
And we all get to pay for this BS thanks to Status Quo MO 2.0
Mobile poultry processing, Is that all agriculture can come up with. What a dog and pny show, you are right on Mayor
How right you are! Having been a business owner in this state for forty plus years I can vouch for the fact that the business climate has gone from bad to almost impossible over that period of time.
I am just happy you came away with the proper opinion of what it is.
Don't count all of us as wanting the state to pay for everything. There is a difference between taking money for an assisted living center verses rehabbing an old building for half a million per unit. I would cut my nose off to spite my face for the latter.
Another thing no one seems to acknowledge is that PILOTs often don't cost anything. There is no real costs to our local government if new houses are built. It will actually bring more money to the area and our govmint. The only question would be if they were going to be built regardless of the PILOT. What do you think the answer is to that question???
And anyone that owns new and old property can tell you that the newly built is done by the rich and they pay more than their fair share. Meanwhile the old properties have rusty-dial tax assessment syndrome...for most communities anywayzzzzz.
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