Now we have some talking going on and it looks good.
I appreciate all the comments yesterday.
We do need to define what it is we want, and then figure out how to get there.
I really don't think that more jobs was the point of a Lowe's. We have plenty of jobs. There are many jobs unfilled here, and not all are low paying.
When we have an opening in the newsroom - which requires a specific set of skills - it usually takes us several months to find someone. It is hard to even get an applicant with any kind of newspaper experience.
(Hope that doesn't offend any of the fine people who did apply who have great experience in other fields.)
I have talked with company officials of several companies who have openings for jobs that pay well. They can't get anyone to come here, and one of the reasons is availability of things like a lowe's or nice restaurants. That, and housing, has been a deal breaker for several people who could have moved here.
The point of bringing in a Lowe's or something like that, was to provide shopping opportunities. Study after study has shown that this is what most people in Ark City want ... more places to spend their money.
We do need to hold our public officials feet to the fire and see what they are doing to take Arkansas City in the right direction. That is one thing that is not so positive about small towns. Strange as it may seem, it is easier in a larger city for a newspaper to "encourage" a commission to be open in its dealings.
But, we cant use that as an excuse.
We need to press on and try to get them to do what is needed.
One problem is that business negotiations can be kept secret legally. So it is hard to know what they are doing.
j
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What the Traveler can do to further the development in Ark City is to make sure the issue isn't just swept under the rug.
I think that commissions in the area are sometimes more interested in playing office and Robert's rule of order than they are about getting things done. The fact that the same people sit on multiple commissions and boards in the area makes it even worse.
I've seen really great issues get delayed, committee'd, and sidetracked until the people behind them simply give up after a number of months or years of stalling tactics and BS.
This is an important issue and shouldn't be ignored or buried.
It has been stated that the TIF was killed because there was no plan for TIFs. Where is the TIF plan now? Where is the retail development plan in general? Has the Commission indicated their position on future retail? Have they done anything at all about it?
It is probably easier to sidetrack and delay than it is to work it out and the Commissioners are not paid for their time, but this is something that needs to be done.
Someone at the paper should calendar the process and from time to time over the next 3 or 4 years make sure, in interviews and editorials, that they are not simply given the bum's rush on the issue with smoke and mirrors. Refer back to the calendar and remind yourself what the issues are, to avoid the sidetrack.
I remember Lou Dobbs on CNN being frustrated that the Bush buddies at Enron weren't being prosecuted. He put up a day counter, counting the days that nothing had been done. It was a totally different issue than this, but it indicates what the media can do.
The paper can ask the tough questions and follow through with pressure. The Commissioners must be reminded that this is an important issue and it can't be ignored.
Stay on top of it and stick with it. The Traveler can change the future of Ark City.
The next commission WORK SESSION is Monday, Jan. 14 at 5:30pm. these meetings are open to the public and to public input....or just come and watch. The next commission MEETING is Tuesday, Jan. 15th at 7pm.
I am not certain, but the impression I received at the last work session was some commissioners wanted to look into creating policy against using TIF for any kind of retail.
It was mentioned but there was no discussion about it. I will notify James if it looks like it will be coming up as an agenda item.
Patrick McDonald
A little confused... if TIF is NOT used for retail, who would it be beneficial to? Is there industry (aside from the retail industry) that generates sales tax to constitute the use of TIF? I don't foresee SeaWorld knocking down our door...or an amusement park? Why even have a TIF policy if retail is excluded? Can someone help me with that line of thinking?
Well, since AC doesn't have a formal policy on TIF then I am not sure how they look at it but most municipalities us property taxes not sales tax.
They normally work by increasing the property tax on the newly developed or rehabbed property. The portion of the property tax that is increased goes to pay for the improvements on the land. So basically a developer does not have to pay for the improvements to the land. They are only paying the property tax they normally would anyway and the city gets reimbursed by the newly generated property tax.
So, if you deny it to retail stores and use property tax instead of sales tax the industry/business can still use the TIF district.
Here is an article:http://qconline.com/progress2000/biz6.shtml
The TIF was using only the property taxes on the improvements to the property. The city would have continued to receive the taxes on the original value on all of the property plus the improvements for everything except the Lowe's and one other store.
Being based on property taxes a TIF could be used for other industry besides retail.
The TDD would have increased sales tax ONLY in that new area the city sales tax in that area would have been used to pay off the road improvements.
It really doesn't matter now. That door is closed. We have to start looking for and creating other opportunities.
Patrick McDonald
Under Kansas Law commercial and retail businesses do not qualify for property tax abatements. The TIF allows for the property tax that the business pays to be used to pay for the infrastructure improvements (roads, parking lots, sewer, and water line extensions). The business still has to pay for its building and equipment and to pay property tax on the improvements. Kansas Law also prevents counties from using a TIF for developments.
Good point. The County can't use TIFs, but because of the airport property tax exemption under K.S.A 79-201r, Strother Field can do something similar on some properties.
It si 10:10 am on a Saturday Morning, where is the online Saturday paper. Why does it take you guys so long to post the Saturday paper when the paper is on the porch by 7:00 - 8:00 am.
Dude...... subscribe. You'd have it by 8:00.
I have given you a portion on my personal vision for the area. But there is a question I must asked.
Who is actively seeking a use for the old Wal mart building in your city? Are there restrictions regarding it's use?
Next we need to consider the fact that we in Cowley County are probably the prime example of the
fact that you don't necessarily want to live where you work!
The fact is that Aircraft related jobs -last I heard - were the equivalent of the #2 or #3 employer in all of the County.
That means a great part of our skilled labor force is outsourced to the Wichita area.
That's great for our economy as they are higher paying vs. unskilled labor jobs. Its also a great risk should there be a change in the plans of those companies or there is a greater threat from global competition in the future.
If you read the Part 4 of the corridor study if gave statistics as to the amount of jobs out of area and the numbers of those who come into our area for jobs from the surronding counties and Ok.
It really supports the fact that if you build using the right chemistry you grow! But to retain and attract new people to our area - those who wish to live here may not be as easy - depending on their goals, acheivements and lifestyles.
So that forces to compare - to want to be something we are not- but what's worse is we overlook what we have and what we are - and have done/can do!
So I for one would like to fill the editor's blog with ideas of things that we can do - like the empty Wal mart building or the potential of the retail area at Strother Field.
I centainly have ideas but rain can't collect on a tin roof - so it is with closed minds! Where are the creative thinkers?
I want to apologize for my spelling and omitted words in the previous posts. I'll slow down!
I mentioned the BNSF in previous post and qusetioned if we could find a way to benefit from our access to the main line.
The "Sage of Omaha" invested heavily in the rail system infrastructure because he saw an opportunity for more efficient transportation as an alternative to higher transportation costs as related to oil prices/food prices. It might be true that you have to "follow the money to see the future."
I questioned whether we could be a container/freight redistribution hub due to our central logisitics.
I don't want to impose on any ones business/decisions only offer what I see as opportunities. So in doing that I have observed that most of our bulk agriculture products are moved by truck! The flour mills do use rail but they also have specialized trucks for their products.
Their are old rail systems at some of the elevators which are outdated and could benefit from upgrades.
Without getting specific by company are there opportunities that would increase our agri-business make it more efficient
with the infusion of money in infrastucture to help companies that cannot justify the cost to upgrade?
I just wanted to use this as an example of the type possibilities that might exist. I'm also interested if it will reach a party that has an honest and unbiased opinion.
on the old WalMart.
As I understand it, the bulding is still under lease to Wal Mart, and therefore, Wal Mart is still making payments to the owner.
The owner is getting his - or her - money, and is in no hurry because of that.
City officials say there has been some talk with some businesses but nothing beyond that.
It could be used for lots of things.
When the lease is up, there may be more action, and I'm not sure when that is.
UNDER THE RUG
No worries. I won't let this slip away.
Im going to ride this horse till it gets us home or falls over.
On the rail system,
There has been a lot of question over why we need a railroad overpass on Kansas Avenue. The primary reason is that by federal law, a train can block a street for only 10 minutes at a time. This does not allow much time for loading and unloading.
By putting the overpass in, and closing off the small crossings, the trains will be able to spend as much time as they need to load and unload. This makes Arkansas City a more viable depot for freight and passengers than it does now.
Past commissions have done a lot to bring back and improve rail through Ark City. I can't wait to see how all this work and planning pays off. The next 2 or 3 years should show a remarkable difference.
Patrick McDonald
The traveler ALWAYS has ads in the paper wanting help(for as long as I can remember anyway). As for your skilled positions, what do they pay, you didn't say, but I would guess they are low paying too. Your newspaper seems to have great difficulty in attracting and keeping help, just like most of the other jobs available around here.
go work at city who give raise to sewer man who show porn film to schools 2 job open for that guy
As for your skilled positions, what do they pay, you didn't say, but I would guess they are low paying too. Your newspaper seems to have great difficulty in attracting and keeping help, just like most of the other jobs available around here.
>>>>
sounds pretty negative.,
but yea, traditionally smaller papers don't pay all that well
usually you get people just out of college and they move up to bigger papers.
lot of people getting out of Wichita State, Okie State, KU, K-State etc., don't think they have to start at the lower end and wont move here for low wages ...
but they would if they thought there might be some entertainment and such available ..
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