Joe:
I hope you read the article I sent you. At the same time Maryland is trying to increase fees, start new fees, increase taxes . . . .Delaware is doing just the opposite.
I had to read it twice as I thought this type of activity was non existence. Not in Delaware!!!
I say give the Sussex Economic Developer an A+. Wow - I'm really impressed.
GEORGETOWN -- County officials have presented a proposal that would seek to attract new business by offering temporary tax breaks and waiving building permit and code fees to companies that would create jobs.
County Administrator David Baker said he worked with staff to develop the plan, and will return with several more ideas next month.
"There's a real impetus for economic development, to encourage businesses to improve employment opportunities in the county," he said.
Unfortunately, Baker said there's little that the county can do, since it doesn't receive income taxes.
The proposed initiatives include a three-year property tax waiver and 50 percent reductions in building permit and code fees.
Baker said the annual cost of the programs -- estimated at $10,000 to $25,000 for property taxes; $30,000 for building permits and $15,000 for code fees -- would be offset by the county's $700,000 Town Economic Development fund.
"Our primary goal is economic development," he said. "When a prospective business contacts us and asks what can the county do for (them) . . . we want to provide some incentive for them."
Sussex County Council President Vance Phillips says he's open to the possibility, but believes the county should be cautious.
"I have a concern we could create unintended consequences that may be unfair to other businesses in the county," he said.
The county should also look into ways to eliminate some of the red tape that new businesses have to deal with, Phillips said.
Councilman George Cole said the county should do something, but limiting the tax base may not be the answer.
"A lot of time, all the county and the government can do is create an environment appealing and attractive to businesses that want to relocate," he said.
wmckelvey@dmg.gannett.com
6 comments:
In this day and age many would consider this attempt and corporate welfare to big business and the rich.
Woe - I to had to take a double take.
This is fantastic for new start-ups. Maryland had better wake-up because Delaware - 'as the crow flys' - is just a few minutes from Salisbury. Joe - in reality - the exodus of businesses and residents has already begun. Just look at what is being built north of the State line. Amazing - even in a recession.
What's impressive about this is not the cut to fees.
It's the $700,000 "economic development" fund.
I had a conversation with Councilwoman Cohen earlier this week about the all the fees Salisbury has (I was the hothead, she kept her cool.) It was interesting because she talked about a bigger picture on economic development and where Salisbury is missing the mark.
We need to get the dummies off the council and find two others like her and Campbell. I also didn't realize Debbie Campbell had met with developers and they came up with a great plan for keeping funding rolling for affordable housing. It was a win-win shot down by the three power hungry Tilghman disciples on council. We need some people with business sense like these two. Mayor Ireton who probably never worked in the private sector could learn a thing or two from them too.
Now that is fair for the troubled businesses barley getting by
They don't call Delaware the Diamond State for nothing.
As you can tell - it is a real jewel.
The whole a state of Maryland better wake up. It's a very bad time with the economy. I hear that "sucking" sound from Deleware taking business from Salisbury...
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