sf wrote:
> On Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:10:34 -0400, George >
> wrote:
>
>> Now the third local walmart is literally moving across the street from
>> their current locations. The only problem with the current location is
>> that the nine year tax exemption is about to expire. When we (the
>> taxpayers) built the original site for them we acquired and developed
>> the land for them for free including running the utilities and
>> constructing a highway interchange at no cost to walmart and gave them a
>> nine year tax exemption. Now we are repeating that one by one as their
>> tax exemption expires. I would think one of the worlds richest families
>> and businesses could afford to pay taxes and pay for there own stuff.
>
> Who approved that move? Jill says WalMart can't pull that sh*t where
> her mom lives. The voters won't stand for it.
>
>
This is in PA. There are various funds available for "small business
development". Usually for things like lower interest rate loans for
startups etc. if you have a business plan that will bring good jobs to
an area. I would love to find out how walmart got itself classified as a
small business in need of assistance. I am assuming the right people got
new swimming pools or a free vacation. Unfortunately voters here are
rather apathetic. Too many people worship politicians instead of
realizing they are nothing but our employees. About 5 years ago *all* of
the local school board got sent to the country club prison because it
was mandatory to pay them to get a job or to get a contract to provide
any of the goods and services used by the school district. They got
taken down by an honest vendor who worked with law enforcement. After
they got out of jail they ran for office and all got reelected.

The interesting part is that if you actually have a small business with
potential it is next to impossible to get this money. I know someone who
has excellent business sense and a great niche product. He pays well and
his employees have real benefits. He is in business for around four
years and and so far has been unable even to get a loan for 1% less for
a bigger building. Walmart apparently just picks up the phone and gets
the ultra deluxe free land, free site development and no pesky taxes to
pay.