Anonymous wrote:

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I would like to see more support from both the city and the county in promoting ANY type of business.  This community can only grow when its leaders decide to take affirmative action.  Everyone is talking about the Harley deal, and how London is stealing them away.  Guess what... thats the name of the game!  Corbin and Whitley county can offer the exact same thing as London, however, it takes initiative and determination.  If goverment leaders looked at the big picture, they would understand that what London has offered is the same as stone sharpening stone.  A training incentive to a retail company hiring 30 to 50 employees, not only attracts that business, but entices other businesses to look at that area as well.  The total cost to the county for this incentive will be aprox 90k.... in less than 1 year the return on occupational tax, property tax, vehicle tax, etc will far outweigh the initial investment.  Would you not invest 90K if you got all that money back in a year?  What about a occupational tax credit for 5 years... if the business is not here, your not collecting it anyway!  Its time for our leaders to perfom like leaders and think like leaders.  Goverment is not functioning correctly if it is not of the people and for the people.  The Harley dealership, or any other national chain retail business, offers this community a chance for positive growth.  Developers can sell property, but it takes our local goverment to get involved and provide attractive incentives before we can move forward.  Industiral jobs are great, but not everyone wants to work in a factory.  How bout tourism...  Cumberland Falls offers the best ride anywhere for a motorcycle.  Imagine people coming to Exit 25 to not only buy, but also stay!  Wouldnt that be a change.  Now you have people doing more than stopping for gas... there will then be a need for more hotels, restaurants, and other retail chains wanting a piece of that tourism dollar.  Wait.. doesnt Corbin have a restaurant tax... so now our tax base increases even more... with just a 90K investment... I have to wonder about our leaders personal investments.... are they really investing wisely ?  Skate parks and Expo centers are great, but we need to focus on building a larger tax base to help pay for these "pork" projects.  Its time to quit taking care of select few, and provide this community a better bang for its buck.  We dont need cheerleaders, we need real leaders! 

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I don't have a clue what our city leaders have offered the folks to build their Harley Store, but I think it's very assuming to make it sound as simple as your post & that our city leaders simply don't get it.  Economic development is a very competitive environment as every state and / or community wants the tax base as well as the thrill and convenience of a new business.

You criticize city, county and state leaders for the skate park and ExpoCenter.  In addition to tax incentives, health care, and education, the quality of life in the community is of vital importance in recruiting industry / business.  I'm happy we have a new skate park.  I am thrilled about the ExpoCenter and the possibilities it brings.  I have concerns about the ExpoCenter's operating budget as I have watched the problems with the PikevilleExpoCenter.  Our city leaders were proactive in this regard and implemented the restaurant tax.  Will it be enough?  Only time will tell, but the leadership recognized the challenge and implemented a plan to mitigate the concern.  Too, keep in mind that operating the ExpoCenter will provide jobs just like Harley Davidson or any other business.  

I've lived all over the state and have lived in Corbin 10 years collectively.  This is as progressive as I have seen Corbin.  I think our leaders are working well with State Government (which is where any significant recruiting of industry must come from) and the work being done behind the scenes to make our area better is encouraging to me.  I would truly love to see the animosity in the area be resolved and a regional economic board take form.  Northern Kentucky formed a 4 or 5 county economic development board and has demonstrated what can take place when petty differences are put to rest and we start working with each other.

I guess it's up to every individual to determine if their respective glass is half empty or half full and do they want to be part of the problem or part of the solution.

Here's hoping your glass is half full & working to be part of the solution.

Terry

Terry P wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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I would like to see more support from both the city and the county in promoting ANY type of business.  This community can only grow when its leaders decide to take affirmative action.  Everyone is talking about the Harley deal, and how London is stealing them away.  Guess what... thats the name of the game!  Corbin and Whitley county can offer the exact same thing as London, however, it takes initiative and determination.  If goverment leaders looked at the big picture, they would understand that what London has offered is the same as stone sharpening stone.  A training incentive to a retail company hiring 30 to 50 employees, not only attracts that business, but entices other businesses to look at that area as well.  The total cost to the county for this incentive will be aprox 90k.... in less than 1 year the return on occupational tax, property tax, vehicle tax, etc will far outweigh the initial investment.  Would you not invest 90K if you got all that money back in a year?  What about a occupational tax credit for 5 years... if the business is not here, your not collecting it anyway!  Its time for our leaders to perfom like leaders and think like leaders.  Goverment is not functioning correctly if it is not of the people and for the people.  The Harley dealership, or any other national chain retail business, offers this community a chance for positive growth.  Developers can sell property, but it takes our local goverment to get involved and provide attractive incentives before we can move forward.  Industiral jobs are great, but not everyone wants to work in a factory.  How bout tourism...  Cumberland Falls offers the best ride anywhere for a motorcycle.  Imagine people coming to Exit 25 to not only buy, but also stay!  Wouldnt that be a change.  Now you have people doing more than stopping for gas... there will then be a need for more hotels, restaurants, and other retail chains wanting a piece of that tourism dollar.  Wait.. doesnt Corbin have a restaurant tax... so now our tax base increases even more... with just a 90K investment... I have to wonder about our leaders personal investments.... are they really investing wisely ?  Skate parks and Expo centers are great, but we need to focus on building a larger tax base to help pay for these "pork" projects.  Its time to quit taking care of select few, and provide this community a better bang for its buck.  We dont need cheerleaders, we need real leaders! 

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I don't have a clue what our city leaders have offered the folks to build their Harley Store, but I think it's very assuming to make it sound as simple as your post & that our city leaders simply don't get it.  Economic development is a very competitive environment as every state and / or community wants the tax base as well as the thrill and convenience of a new business.

You criticize city, county and state leaders for the skate park and ExpoCenter.  In addition to tax incentives, health care, and education, the quality of life in the community is of vital importance in recruiting industry / business.  I'm happy we have a new skate park.  I am thrilled about the ExpoCenter and the possibilities it brings.  I have concerns about the ExpoCenter's operating budget as I have watched the problems with the PikevilleExpoCenter.  Our city leaders were proactive in this regard and implemented the restaurant tax.  Will it be enough?  Only time will tell, but the leadership recognized the challenge and implemented a plan to mitigate the concern.  Too, keep in mind that operating the ExpoCenter will provide jobs just like Harley Davidson or any other business.  

I've lived all over the state and have lived in Corbin 10 years collectively.  This is as progressive as I have seen Corbin.  I think our leaders are working well with State Government (which is where any significant recruiting of industry must come from) and the work being done behind the scenes to make our area better is encouraging to me.  I would truly love to see the animosity in the area be resolved and a regional economic board take form.  Northern Kentucky formed a 4 or 5 county economic development board and has demonstrated what can take place when petty differences are put to rest and we start working with each other.

I guess it's up to every individual to determine if their respective glass is half empty or half full and do they want to be part of the problem or part of the solution.

Here's hoping your glass is half full & working to be part of the solution.

Terry

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Terry:

You have made good points, and my glass is always half full.  I stated what I felt to be constructive criticism, not a bashing.  Our city officials are better than what they have been in as long as I have been a Corbinite... but there is so much more they can do.  The skate park and the expo center are both positive undertakings, but I wouldnt say the Expo Center is going to bring financial peace to the area.  To mitigate another tax on our citizens to provide  a weekend event here and there doesnt seem very proactive in my opinion, not to mention how many real jobs will be created for our citizens?  As I understand it, the city is going to subcontract out the management to a out of town corporation.   A tax to provide each and every child an opportunity to play in a recreational sport, and a facility that would be suitable for basketball, football, baseball, soccer, cheerleading, etc. would be a more proactive approach in providing a better quality of life.   The expo center benefits a select few in this community.... providing a platform for business to start, grow, and expand here is what will take us to the next level.   I want to be a part of the solution, and I am working to do my part in different areas of this community to provide a better place to live.  I just found out about these message boards and felt like writing my opinion.  I respect your opinion greatly, and while we may disagree, we dont have to be disagreeable.   The sum of all parts makes a whole.  To everyone that reads this I say.... do your part... get involved... dont be satisfied with the way things are, always reach farther... we have a responsiblity just like our officials to do more at providing a better place to live and work.  It is my hope we can work together as a community to accomplish this one goal.... leave this place better than we found it. 

???? 

You two are giving us all "warm fuzzy's", with all this cooperation talk. 

If I didn't know Terry, I'd swear you were both running for office, or representing someone that is.

Terry:

I will agree that we could agree!   Keep on posting...

And to Bob Jr. ...  your forum is a great resource for others to network and share information.

Anonymous wrote:

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Terry, would you agree that for all to come together, to work together for the betterment of corbin and its surrounding area, to promote the general welfare of all of the folks in the community, that any type of organized board would have to be politically neutral? 

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No.  I don't feel there's anyone willing to volunteer that is politically neutral.  Most all who care enough to volunteer care enough to go to the polls on election day, thus eliminating being politically neutral.

Also, I feel differing points of view within a Board / Committee keep all members on their respective toes and informed of the issues.  Heck, even on our TC Youth Soccer Board we don't always agree.  But once we discuss the issues in our meeting we are united in our efforts to carry out the concluded decisions.

Has anyone heard the lastest on the Vintage House sage? Corbin? London? Barbourville? Toledo? Where will it end up?