Rob, One could argue that Indy has gone too far; L...

2013-09-24T12:47:30.421-05:00

Rob,
One could argue that Indy has gone too far; Lucas Oil might be an example of that. But Evansville has not done very little. The funding for the public portion of the downtown hotel is TIF, casino and innkeeper's tax. There's no general property tax or food/beverage tax money. The public contribution allows for a downtown hotel near the Ford Center and the Centre where it's needed. without the contribution, if new development will to occur (a big if) it will be out of the city, continuing suburban sprawl, which then requires additional tax money for more highways, roads and stoplights. Exactly what the Evansville area does not need.

"But it is perception, not the back-and-forth...

2013-09-22T11:25:33.876-05:00

"But it is perception, not the back-and-forth over any particular deal, that can have long-term implications for economic development in the region . . "

What perception is that? That the city does not subsidize new hotels over the existing hotels? that the city does not pay $20 per fan per game to watch a basketball team? That the city lacks shopping centres since no new ones are being built? That the residents of the city lack jobs due to not building new hotels, or being able to drop hundreds or thousands of dollars to watch a basketball or football game, or that they have no where to shop for hats, sunglasses, overpriced clothing, leather goods, etc..

It is a good thing to have a city with low taxes where there is not the artificial desire to have shiny new businesses that require a steady influx of funds in order to operate.

Indianapolis's shiny new business include the Conrad, JW Marriott, Conseco fieldhouse, Lucas Stadium, Circle Center Mall (the new home of Gannett Company's Indianapolis branch). All of these put money into the pockets of the rich and connected using the taxes paid by actual residents who incorrectly thought that these taxes would be used for things like police, parks, roads, garbage pickup. I can hardly wait to see my taxes go up to pay for more police (which will never be hired) and watch the money get diverted to build another downtown hotel for the 2018 superbowl.

Maybe it would be a good thing to be thought of as a laughing stock, it would probably keep the hyenas and vultures away from your city while making it an affordable good place to live.

Comments on Advance Indiana™: Proponents Of Taxpayer-Funded Hotel In Evansville Claim Council Officials Are Making The City The Laughing Stock Of The Midwest By Demanding Due Diligence

Rob, One could argue that Indy has gone too far; L...

"But it is perception, not the back-and-forth...