Well, hate to say we saw this coming, but here is the first fallout from the Goodyear bill.
After some disagreement with the Concord Town Council regarding his proposal to build a drag strip, Bruton Smith, owner of Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, is now threatening to move the track somewhere else (like Rock Hill, SC).
Hmm… large economic engine in the county threatening to move if they don’t get their way. I wonder where he learned that trick?
Concord has already stated they will step forward with an "incentive" package to convince him to stay.
How long until Gov. Mike "Crash" Easley pokes his head out of his woodworking shop to offer state assistance?
Would Bruton Smith really move Lowe’s Motor Speedway somewhere else, or is he just blackmailing the town, county and state into giving him cash?
I suspect the latter, and I say call his bluff. Let’s stop being held hostage by businessmen looking to fatten their wallets off our tax dollars before this snowballs any more.
Our worst fears from the Goodyear precedent are coming true.
I was born and raised in Silicon vally — Sunnyvale, to be percise. I return there a ciuple of times a year to visit family members and old friends. I have noticed that none of the Silicone vally Towns pay businesses to locate in their area. why is that or better yet why did thise companies come to places like Sunnyvale, Mountian View, San Jose, Palo alro and etc. in the first place.I can tell you why in very few words. Rhere was an educated work force available and those small towns actually provided public ammenities such as schools which taught science and math, parks, an excellent transportation system, and a crime free environment (my home town hasn’t had a murder in 50 years and only one robbery in the last 20 years.) I suggest that instead of bribbing industries to stay we should provide better infrastructure and a scientificly educated work force.