News-Record.com

Do we yet have an explaination for what the "economic development" bonds will be used for?

Wow! A comment. I'm so excited. Do I look OK? Dang - I knew I shoulda worn the red shirt today.

Roch, they would use the money for the any or all of following: buying land, improving land, building shell buildings, beefing up industrial parks, providing water and sewer, making improvements to streets near industrial areas.

Roch,
Here are a few more details on the economic development bond proposal from council and staff discussions, but nothing is in concrete at this point. I've suggested on several occasions that specific possible uses be listed because of the fuzziness and potential confusion on this particular item.

I have not heard any mention of the "shell buildings" in Margaret's list, but getting sites to the "ready to build" point by building water, sewer, roads, etc. t them has been discussed on several occasions. We've also talked about using some of the money in the "reinvestment corridors" identified in the Comp Plan such as High Point Road (my favorite), Summit Ave., etc.

One thing we've made clear in our talks -- we are NOT planning to "give away" any land as incentives, but merely have it "ready to go" for purchase from new business prospects.

You look fabulous, Margaret -- in type, at least. Thanks for your comments. Yours too, Sandy. These bonds sound suspect to me -- precisely because of the lack of detail. How could anyone even come up with a number before knowing what the money is intended for? I'll be looking for a very specific enumeration of what this money would go towards, in what amounts and under what conditions before I vote for it.

Roch,
I've been pushing for better definition, but I would not expect to see specific projects and specific amounts listed for the simple reason that those projects have not been determined. While I strongly believe we need to put some firm standards and guidelines in place to govern what the city will or will not do with the money, the actual decisions will likely be made on an "opportunity basis" as situations dictate.

The only specific one I have heard at this point is the Reedy Fork corporate/industrial park up on 29 North along the lines of "if the city will go ahead and do the water/sewer and a main road, we (Starmount Co.) would grade the site, put up a grand entrance sign, etc." with an estimate of around $1 million. In an informal chat with Asst. City Manager Ben Brown, it was suggested that 50% be for projects like this and 50% for the reinvestment/redevelopment corridors, but that was just the two of us thinking aloud and I have no idea if that would even fly.

Sandy,

I didn't mean to imply that I'll be looking for a list of specific projects, rather what kind of projects, in what amounts and under what conditions. Even your suggestion of some of the money possibly going towards "reinvestment/development corridors" is too vague. Would these funds be available for rennovation of existing busnisses or only for new businesses? As start-up funding for a bar-b-que restaurant? As grants or loans? Available only to projects that involve land improvements or to other ways of priming economic activity? Only for public infrastructure or as contributions to private assets? Short of some specific criteria, it has the potential to be a big fat mulit-million dollar slush fund.

I guess most people in Greensboro,will have to get a partime job to pay their high taxes.The tax increase from the bonds will hurt a lot of people.

Here's how that breaks down, Taxpayer: The owner of a $150,000 home would pay an extra $37.50 if voters approve all 11 items.

When we start our bond series on Sunday, we'll include a breakdown of how much each bond item would cost.

May be true but when you add 30 or 40 dollars several times it adds up.

Interesting that you have to beg to find commenters opposed to the bonds. It seems to me that most citizens are in favor of them. Why are you seeking "anti-" input?

Hey, Sue.

Mostly I asked the question out of a desire to be fair. It's easy for us to find the people who support the bonds. Heck, they'll even call us.

The opposition, on the other hand, probably won't be organized, or backed by any deep-pocketed groups. They're people who don't want their taxes to go up, or don't like the idea of a swimming center, or have a philosophical opposition to economic incentives, or whatever. They deserve to have their voices heard, because there are probably other people out there thinking the same thing.

The important thing is to keep their opposition in perspective. From what I can tell, you're right in thinking there's no VOCAL opposition to any of the bonds at this point. But it's also important to get a sense of what the average person thinks, too.

Hope that answers your question.

Oh - did it sound like I was begging? Geez. I've got to work on not sounding so desperate.

It is interesting, Margaret, that the N&R feels that those opposed to the bonds won't be heard. It hasn't been the case in Greensboro that those against anything have had a hard time getting press coverage. To slap at folks for the bonds as "deep pockets" or whatever is just as unfair. To feel that the bonds add up to a pretty good package for the future of the community is an ok position to have too. But, in honesty, it looks like you are trying to recruit people against something so you can write an article. Are you also contacting those in favor to hear their philosophical positions?

It certainly is an OK position to support any or all of the bonds, rm. It's also OK not to support them. What might look like "recruiting" is just my attempt to be fair by representing a wide variety of opinions.

Trust me: Our articles will be loaded with people who support the bonds (the first article, on the $9 swimming center, will run Sunday). Like I said, it's really easy to find those people. Each bond item has its own group of supporters.

Hope this answers your question.

Well I'll be... you asked a question and WHAMMO. Blows my theory... sort of.

I'm on vacation in KY but had to check in. I hope this conversation continues and you find the other 12 people who are against all the bonds.