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GCEDC board scheduled to vote on Darien Lake proposal

By Howard B. Owens

Press release:

The Board of Directors of the Genesee County Economic Development Center (GCEDC) will consider a project from Darien Lake Theme Park Resort at its March 30 board meeting.

Darien Lake Theme Park Resort is planning to add several new attractions, including a 75-foot “super loop” thrill ride and dual waterslide complex speed ride for the 2015 operating season. The projected capital investment is approximately $2.5 million. The company is seeking final approval of a sales tax exemption of $180,000.

The GCEDC Board meeting will take place at 10 a.m. and is open to the public. Meetings are held at the first-floor Innovation Zone Conference Room at MedTech Centre -- 99 MedTech Drive, Batavia, across from Genesee Community College.

Mark Potwora

Darien lake a million dollar company wants to not pay sales tax..But anyone else has to pay the tax..If you go to the REZ they have the sheriffs depts pull you over for not paying sales tax on cigarettes....More corporate welfare.

Mar 27, 2015, 3:42pm Permalink
Bob Harker

I never understand the statement "GCEDC will take a vote".

Why vote? Any PROFITABLE mult million dollar company that wants corporate welfare knows they will be successful in that effort by simply picking up the phone and saying, "Hi Mr. Hyde. How ya doin?"

I'm certain that Darien Lake Theme Park would not be able to expand their business and would have to pull up stakes, abandon the site, and build anew someplace else if they didn't receive corporate welfare.

Mar 27, 2015, 6:51pm Permalink
alvin tufts

A million dollar company? You might want to check your math. $180,000 is reasonable for a company that continues to reinvest multimillions in Genesee County. Who cares about the couple morons that are stupid enough to get caught leaving the reservation each week. Hundreds do it everyday without a problem. So we have to sacrifice a few to feed the beast.

Mar 27, 2015, 6:58pm Permalink
bud prevost

$180,000 is reasonable

No, it's not. I disagree with you, Alvin Why do some deserve breaks, and others don't? That is the obvious flaw in the world of IDA's. Why some receive assistance, and others can't is not clear to me. i would hate to think it's who you know ,or who you blow, that makes a difference.

Mar 28, 2015, 1:10am Permalink
Raymond Richardson

"If you go to the REZ they have the sheriffs depts pull you over for not paying sales tax on cigarettes."

Nope. Not even close to accurate because it doesn't happen.

Mar 28, 2015, 8:17am Permalink
C. M. Barons

Why does the IDA scam work? ...Because the average consumer is not economically savvy. Anyone who patronizes businesses that fail to pay taxes in the communities they serve and then gripes about the increased share they must contribute to sustain services within their communities (public education, Medicaid, Food Stamps, SNAP, HEAP, WIC, etc.) is living in a world of delusion. They are saving pennies at the time of purchase and shoveling dollars out the door through sales tax, school tax, village tax, town tax, county tax, gas tax, income tax, payroll tax, fees and tariffs. The tax dodgers sunder shops and businesses that provide employment and pay their fair share in taxes. They siphon revenue away from communities, siphon jobs away from communities and leave a wasteland of empty real estate in their wake. Simply stop enabling the tax-dodgers. What's the point of building a tax base upon businesses that do not pay their taxes? Only the masochistically gullible would allow themselves to be cowed into buying things from a tax-dodger, knowing full-well they will pay for it three-times-over. Why is our county legislature still affiliated with leeches?

Mar 28, 2015, 12:25pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Excellent points CM. Why indeed? Although your point is that give away corporate welfare is siphoning off services and mine is it is contributing to our ever increasing tax burden; the fundamental point is exactly the same and it seems that very few can see it. (or want to) When you allow one to pay less and don't cut back on spending, you cause the rest to pay more. Very simple fact and very unfair and wrong. Its crony capitalism and it is destroying this state and this nation.

Mar 28, 2015, 4:30pm Permalink

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