Corporate Welfare update: Cooper Power Tools Inc.
I’m going to post every one of these handouts to corporations with promises of “creating jobs” so that it’s easy to look back at the tax dollars we spent on NOT providing government services.
the commission approved a $125,000 grant to assist Cooper Power Tools, Inc., with renovations and relocation of equipment to Dayton from its Springfield operation. A Montgomery County Economic Development/Government Equity grant will provide $75,000 of the cost. The city’s development fund will cover the balance. The company will invest $225,000 in its facility at 762 W. Stewart St., according to city of Dayton documents. Cooper will create 15 jobs, relocate 15 jobs and retain 125 full-time positions.
Just last night, I had to listen to a small business person in Dayton ask why she didn’t get the sweetheart deal on the former Chin’s space that I wrote about a few days ago- where the City gave a huge rent subsidy to a business that never materialized. In marketing, you can’t survive on being the low price leader with just selling “door busters” at a loss. Dayton needs to learn how to sell Dayton without giving away the store.
“I’m going to post every one of these handouts to corporations with promises of “creating jobs” so that it’s easy to look back at the tax dollars we spent on NOT providing government services.”
Fine, and I will comment every time that you never address the abuse of individual welfare and how it has costs us billions and billions of dollars. Why should tax payers fund individuals who don’t work and use their money or resources (ie food stamps, section 8 housing) on drugs, tobacco, alcohol, Twinkies, Ho-Hos, guns, etc. ?
Keep on being hip to this hip idea that involves urban hipsters. You are so hip David.
I guess a non response means you endorse the corrupt personal welfare system and loath corporate welfare that allows companies to employ people, grow, pay more taxes, etc.
Not sure if that is the stance you should take while running for office. Silence is deadly.
@gene- I often don’t respond to your baiting. One program is run at the local level, one is at the national level. I’m running for Dayton City Commission.
True, but often you state your thoughts around all types of subjects, regardless if they are local or state level or national. Can you just answer the question? And ON A LOCAL LEVEL, if you went in to Krogers and witnessed with your own eyes abuse of food stamps or people buying beer with welfare money, would you post about that? You post on just about everything else.
Not baiting, just asking. You rarely respond because you apply different standards to different people. That is just who your are, and I will call you out each and every time on it.
You benefited from tax breaks. You have applied similar philosophies yet boil when your fellow Daytonian gets a helping hand. Dodge it again, but I will keep asking until you answer.
‘if you went in to Krogers and witnessed with your own eyes abuse of food stamps or people buying beer with welfare money’
Ooooh Gene, I’m so sorry but I have to, do you wear bell bottoms and drive a Gremlin? The advent of the WIC EBT system back in 1999 virtually eliminated ‘food stamp laundering’. Certainly back in the day when food stamps resembeled monopoly money there was sombody somewhere willing to exchange a six-pack for fifteen dollars in stamps but honestly, even thirty years ago it didn’t happen too much at Kroger or any other reputable retailer who wanted to maintain their ability to be reimbursed for food stamps taken in.
So when CompanyX comes to Commissioner E and says “we need an equity injection or we can’t afford to buy Building Y, and we’ll buy the cheaper one in Suburbtown instead,” what should the Commissioner say to keep them in Dayton?
What if ithat grant or tax credit is the difference between a bare-bones renovation or a 4-star renovation that will improve the look and feel of Dayton for everyone?
There are many ways to create a better city. Dayton should explore every reasonable idea.
However, when it comes down to the individual company making a one-time decision that will carry them for the next 10, 20, or 50 years – what will you do to keep them at the table, if you have taken all the incentives off the table?
Sorry, but putting a cop on the corner won’t cut it in that situation.
If Company X doesn’t have a business plan they can take to the bank, get a loan to buy Building Y and convince the bank they can turn a profit with the ability to repay the loan you now need to convince me why tax payers should subsidise Company X for gracing us with their presence.
From today’s DDN:
btw- SWRick- couldn’t say it better myself.
Scan food, hand over smokes. That is how you get around it.
Scan food and sell food outside of store for drugs. Another way they get around it.
So what were you saying about food stamps. Oh, that is right, you do not go to that Kroger and have never seen the fraud. I have.
That’s a red herring. If the company can’t get bank financing, there is no project in the first place. I’m talking about incentives for a financially sound company that is choosing between two (or more) locations.
I’m still not seeing an answer for how you would convince such a company to make the business decision today to choose Dayton, if you are planning to eliminate incentives.
Imagine you have 24 hours to get it done. All the ideas you have for the future make no difference.
What say you?
@csapt
Incentives: That they have confidence in Dayton- as a city that’s going places and that their investment will be safe. That should be all it takes.
We are not going to get in a bidding war with tax dollars to “attract” business. Either we have what they need to make a profit- or we don’t.
It seems that the idea of safe streets first, easy and helpful bureaucracy, and solid parks and such are a foreign concept with city leadership defenders.
How can you address such things when the majoritarian leadership doesn’t even connect with these concepts concretely , or even abstractly for that matter?
Update- Now Cooper is merging;