[Vision2020] LOWES

[Jeff Harkins]

Yes indeed Ron - a very clever development 
project.  And good for local consumers.  Lowe's 
has a reputation for good product lines, fair 
pricing and reasonable customer service.  Of 
course, there will be some overlap with existing 
businesses (e.g., MBS, TriState and J&J), but 
Lowe's does also have some very unique product 
lines that will appeal to local shoppers.  I have 
every confidence that the existing local 
businesses are up to the competitive 
challenges.  Successful businesses are always 
prepared to "compete" - it is what makes the system strong and viable.

The absolute miracle of consumer choice - if a 
business finds the right product mix at 
reasonable prices, consumers will benefit as will 
the local economy.  It will be interesting to see 
what businesses choose to settle in the adjacent 
retail spaces - and hopefully fruitful for Idaho 
business just across the line.  Those 
establishments may well benefit from WA shoppers 
driving to the state line and just crossing over 
to visit the Palouse Mall (of course, vice-versa is in play).

Local activists and officials don't seem too 
worried about the tax issue - although the sales 
tax dollars associated with retail sales are 
substantial.  If the buzz I hear is correct, 
Lowe's had considered settling on the Idaho side, 
but were discouraged by the anti-growth, evil big 
box store rhetoric and consequently moved to a more business friendly location.

The restrictions being proposed for local 
business may well fuel accelerated development in 
the corridor.  By subjecting local existing 
business to an expensive and lengthy Conditional 
Use Permitting process before it can expand (to 
enhance it's competitiveness) may drive those 
establishments into the corridor.

Oh, that soft sucking sound you hear - don't pay 
any attention to it - it is simply the sound of 
the air escaping from the balloon.



At 12:02 PM 11/16/2005, you wrote:
>Actually, it's pretty smart for some-- Whitman 
>County gets the taxes, with no danger of the land being annexed by Pullman.
>
>I wonder who'll provide the services?
>
>
>**********************************************
>Ron Force         Moscow ID USA
>
>  <mailto:rforce at moscow.com>rforce at moscow.com
>**********************************************
>
>T-
>many thanks for providing the link to the 
>Hawkins Company plan for the Moscow-Pullman Highway extended strip mall.
>There is smart growth and there is dumb growth 
>-- and this is a blatant example of the dumbest kind of growth....BL
>
>
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