I will swear to you all day long that I have nothing against the businesses on Union Square, but those that know me know and those who don't are never going to care about where I am coming from. My hope is for any business to succeed. What I face is that these certain businesses think I'm picking on them, but really I'm not. What I am saying is that they do not deserve any more promotional support than any other business in Hickory and so the City should not be expressly promoting any business over another.
Look at the promotional sign. What should the people from Copper Bean think about this? What about the owners of Da Vinci's? What about the people who own Sub Station II? or any restaurant or bar in any other part of Hickory?
You see these businesses pay taxes too. They don't get amenities for owning their businesses where they are located. When is the city going to create a structure on Springs Road to bring people out there to eat at one of the establishments there? Or in Southwest Hickory, not that there are many left any more.
And just think, If you own a business in one of these other parts of Hickory, your tax dollars are being funneled to these projects on Union Square to go help the business of someone who might just be your competitor. All you Ayn Rand philosophers, where are you? Does that sound just to you?
Now a few people have labeled the Citizens for Equity in Government as a Liberal Group, but the CEG isn't supporting a system that takes Hickory tax dollars from one business and directs it towards the interest of another. Or spends city funds in a Big Government top-down manner. Doesn't that sound like Sherwood Forest to you?
And if you want to go see the pictures for the Union Square Tent event here is the link - http://www.appleson.com/Hickory/City%20of%20Hickory%20Name%20the%20Structure%2008-10-12.htm
I have nothing against a structure being built for events in Hickory, but shouldn't the public have had input? And was this structure worth the money that was spent on it? Do you like the fact that the sight lines on Union Square are now gone? Do you feel that this structure aesthetically fits Union Square? And do you think this will be an economic driver for Hickory?
8 comments:
The same situation happens with federal or state grants. One business will get a grant to redo their HVAC system. Why not give the grant to all businesses? Why would a government give benefits to one but not all?
Government needs to get out of the free market system and allow it to work unadulterated -- the law of supply and demand. Let the consumers decide which ones fail and which ones succeed. Let competition make businesses better.
The issue here is downtown development. Trying to make downtown Hickory a thriving and viable location for folks to come. The alternative is to have it fade into oblivion and have more empty buildings sitting around not generating tax revenue.
IMHO the incentives are appropriately designed to develop a corpus of activity that will, in the long term, provide additional tax revenues to the City. Any of the mentioned restaurants could have (re)located in a downtown facility and received the same benefits.
Once the success of these initial businesses is proven, there will be additional businesses locating downtown, which will further enhance our tax base.
I have said for many years, the current system for electing people to represent taxpayers allows too much room for abuse of power by making taxpayers believe they NEED what representatives are willing to give them. This is why at least to a large degree, cities are "Ghost Towns" in large part, because taxpayers either refuse to or are persuaded to "Stay out of the day-to-day running of the city." Hickory IS a beautiful place, but for many years has been neglected by elected officials. This scenario has become all to common in surrounding communities as well. Hopefully voters will continue to show they are interested as they were in signing the petition to PUSH for a NEW local government system !
Whether the buildings are occupied or not is irrelevant with regard to taxes. The owners still pay property tax on the property. Now, through collection of sales tax more might be generated. But that reverts back to the City from the State and never at 100%.
The guy that owned the Woolworth building tried to make a go of it. He was a vocal proponent of downtown. How much support did he get? How much help was funneled his way? Did Hickory partner with him to promote his business? Or is advocacy only afforded to a few who have the 'right' connections? That is the major issue. If you're going to do it, make available to all, not a select few. And if you're not, then we'll fall back on pure Capitalism, without government assistance or promotion. I thought that was what some of you wanted to begin with?
To the 2nd comment. Go ask the restaurants if they have heard from city officials about ways they can increase the Corpus of business in their part of the City.
And I have heard the Mayor state that the goal is not for businesses to relocate to receive incentives, so you are saying the opposite. That it is all about Downtown and screw the rest of Hickory.
What would you think about a majority of Hickory De-Annexing and letting y'all just keep Union Square and the old Hickory area.
I think St. Stephens can make it on their own. I think Mountain View can make it on their own. North Viewmont can make it on it's own and maybe consolidate with Bethlehem. West Hickory might be better off joining with Long View.
You say that is ridiculous. I say what do the outlying areas get from their relationship with Hickory Inc.?
DoGood is right about this. Ask Sam Glaberman how much support he received from the City of Hickory and the HDDA. He had an idea about a temporary skating rink at Christmas on the Square.
Apparently, tent good... skating rink bad... and that skating rink wasn't going to cost the city a dime in the end.
But, Mr. Glaberman isn't in the club... And isn't his building now empty?
Speaking of empty buildings and tax base and revenue. I heard of some "mystery" call center that is possibly relocating to the Hickory area? I havent researched it much yet, just heard about it. I wonder when it says Hickory area, is it actually going to locate in Hickory or somewhere else in the county?
But it won't. Competition does not 'make businesses better' as you say. It's like natural selection. Natural selection does not improve things, except by elimination. It removes the unfit, the weak. It allows the few to reign. If your goal is jobs, however, this is not always ideal. Would you rather have 5 optimal business in a dead town where nobody can afford to use them... or 200 in a bustling metropolis?
And if your job happens to be with that slightly weaker business... too bad.
The problem in our current economy is not a lack of, or unfit supply. The problem is a lack of demand. It doesn't matter how much sweat and tears you pour in when the foundation for certain businesses just isn't there. Neely D's, for instance, over on 127, just closed. I admit they weren't prepared, but I think they would have made it in Charlotte.
As for giving every business a new HVAC system and 'leaving the government out of it'. That's the exact opposite of leaving the government out of it. It's also a waste. Leaving the Government out of it would be to give NOBODY a new HVAC system. But, some companies must struggle with it.
I personally would give it to 'customer supported businesses' (not businesses that support other businesses, as those take a wider base to survive. Who meet certain criteria. A minimum of 10 employees(increasing based on required cost), having been around for a few years, having an owner who swears he/she does not intend to go anywhere for at least 5 more. And with a wide potential customer base. Off the top of my head, Restaurants, Dentists, Medical Facilities, Grocery Stores, etc...
Nix the dentissts, not enough employees in most dental places, and how they file taxes woul likely invalidate them.
They would also have to demonstrate and swear to a need. No auto shops qualifying and then leaving their doors open all the time. "We thought we could use it". And I would make the cost very deferred... maybe a small payment starting 5 years down the line, not completely free to discourage abuse. "You do have to pay this back, but not for 5 years, and over 10. If you really need it, it will be worth it.
I think grants should exist because they promote businesses, jobs, and for other similar reasons. I care little about who gets them, as long as they are put to good use in a manner that strengthens the economy. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to sell HVAC systems. (Kidding)
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