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Published: March 04, 2008 08:23 pm
County’s economic future at a crossroads
We must prioritize spending our financial resources.
By MIKE STEGALL
Guest columnist
Can someone answer this rather simple question: Why is it that one day we read an article that states Howard County’s finances are at a critically low point (which we believe to be true) and that every expenditure, including those normally considered rather minimal, will be scrutinized, and a day or two later we read that the County Council has approved an appropriation in the amount of $15,000 for another reuse study of the Continental Steel site? There was a comprehensive study done on this site by Strand Associates in 2003 at a cost of $100,000, funded by an EPA grant. Without going into a lengthy discussion of potential uses, it certainly appears from what we have been able to ascertain about the site and how it is now being remediated (covering with a 2-foot layer of “clean” soil and not removing all of the contaminated subsoil), that the contemplated use as green space with athletic amenities (walking trails, ball diamonds, soccer fields, etc.) is heads and shoulders above those contemplated by Dave and Tom Trine. While we are sure the Trines are well-intentioned, it is our belief that spending another $15,000 would not be the highest and best use of our scarce finances – particularly at this critical time in our county’s future.
Co-signers to Mike Stegall’s letter include:
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Kathy Harbaugh, Matt Boor, Jerry Santen, Joe Klein, Cartwright Ellis, Bryan Bitner, Ken Humphrey, Mike Ullery, Jean Ferenc, Curtis Welke, Stan Rebber, Stuart Green, Francis Petro, Bob Hingst, Ron Harper, Mark McCann, Charlie Conkle, Gust Cijan, Kay Runyan, Carl Bergstrom, Merrill Wolf, Jeanne Scott, Bob McKean, Doug Vaughn, Kirk Daniels, Bob Massey, John Wiles, Jan Hendrix, Chuck Bucheri, Chuck Conkle, Debra Cook, Dick Moore, Bill Bersbach, Jim McIntyre, Jim Parsons, Jim Watkins, Greg Shelton and Duane Davis. |
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In addition to what we believe to be double-speak about watching our pennies, there are a couple of other noteworthy points regarding this issue. First is the relocation of the YMCA. As has been publicized, there are serious negotiations currently going on regarding what can be done to keep the Y in the core business district without imposing any undue financial impact on it (essentially making it cost neutral). We believe that as part of a comprehensive economic development strategy, a vibrant core business district is essential. The YMCA, as well as the library, are certainly two of the primary mainstays to a healthy downtown – they are in close proximity to many who would not be able to utilize their services if they were relocated to a site outside of the core business area. Were one or both to vacate, our downtown would have a hole that would be extremely difficult to fill – particularly in the critical near future. In short, there needs to be a good balance of what is in the best interests of the YMCA, library and the community at large.
Secondly, has the County Council considered the impact of adding more developable land to our bulging inventory of industrial, commercial and retail properties? Has anyone contacted the owners of Lincoln Business Park, Haynes High Tech Industrial Park or any of the numerous landlords that are begging for tenants to fill their empty retail spaces? It is our understanding that there are approximately 500 acres of developable green space for commercial and industrial development, and it doesn’t take a real estate expert to see the number of vacant retail spaces as you drive around the community. If Howard County had any shortage of development or available retail property, then this study might carry a little more weight.
To the best of our knowledge, every office holder has stated that economic development is one of their very highest priorities. Unfortunately, good solid economic development requires adequate financial resources. Would this appropriation (which happens to be about one-third of the county’s entire 2008 funding to all of the economic development organizations – Chamber of Commerce, Kokomo Downtown Association, KHDC, Inventrek, etc.) have been better spent in supporting the pending consolidation of these organizations – the so-called “umbrella group?” This proposed consolidation is intended to provide our community with a substantially improved economic development engine. Hopefully, in the near future, we will have an organization that will complement and work with our elected officials to support economic development.
Our reason for writing this letter is not to cast stones or second-guess anyone. It is simply to inform the public, including our elected officials, that we are at a crossroads in our community’s economic future, and we need to exercise solid thought processes in how we are to prioritize our scarce financial resources. We believe that our citizenry both expect and demand this.
Mike Stegall is president of
Community First Bank.
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