Press Release from Phil Ricci, chairman of the Gensee County Libertarian Committee:
Dick's Sporting Goods also does not expect to win, or ask for, tax abatements to expand here. "Our goal is to deliver everything at the lowest price," Hennion said. "We really don't feel like we should be using customers' money to build our stores."
That was a direct quote from the VP of Dick's Sporting Goods!
The classification of the Batavia Towne Center as a "tourist destination" is laughable at best, and a complete deception regardless. More than $6 million dollars has already been promised to COR over a 10 year period. Yet even though the company did not complete many of the promises within the original project, they are asking for an additional $ 1 million in "tax incentives" to re-fit a previously failed space!
No tax payer should be asked to subsidize a multi-billion dollar retail chain, so they can do business in their town, but what's even worse is when that retailer is not asking for the help!
Stop the abuse! Tell Mary Pat Hancock and the GCEDC Board to not approve the additional funds!
Sign the petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/706/682/307/stop-the-additional-funding-of-tax-incentives-to-cor-for-dicks-sports/
Economic Development
Economic Development Corporations receive a piece of the pie, every time they award tax breaks to a business. This becomes a conflict of interest when GCEDC is making a decision about giving away tax dollars. The more tax breaks,they give away, the more income they reap. Furthermore, the more prolific their activity, the greater the opportunity to reap individual gain in the form of generous cash bonuses to supplement
Salaries and state retirement plans. When the VP of Dick's is openly stating that they are not requesting any tax breaks in order to locate here, why are we even discussing this issue? COR has already reaped considerable tax break advantages, which ultimately resulted in a vacant eye sore in the Towne Center. In my opinion, any retail business moving to Genesee County should have a business model that does not depend on government welfare. If we want to find real answers to attracting business to Genesee County and NYS, we should start by lobbying to reduce the size of government, reduce taxes for all and begin to close down the well intentioned but counter productive Economic Development Corporations. Those deeply ingrained and intrenched in the political gridlock and corruption of Albany politics, would have us believe that the Libertarian message is negative and representative of a small minority of citizens. I hear a message that says that we can be better. I hear hope.
"We really don't feel like we
"We really don't feel like we should be using customers' money to build our stores."
This quote everyone seems to be using would make a stronger case if it wasn't eight years old and from a man that left the company two jobs ago. I'm guessing that the current VP of Strategic Planning and/or the other Corporate Officers at "Dick's" have a different view regarding taking advantage of tax incentives as a part their corporate strategy for growth since Mr. Hennion made this comment. in 2005.
Well then, Kevin, I look
Well then, Kevin, I look forward to Dick's coming forward and publicly saying they do want our money then!
A quick Google search shows
A quick Google search shows two of the stores they've put up since 2011 have been as a direct result of tax incentives being offered and they have gone on record saying that is precisely why they chose to build in those locations (Dublin, OH and Broken Arrow, OK). There could be more examples, I just looked at the first page.
So I take it you support the
So I take it you support the use of funds then, Kevin?