[Vision2020] Real Economic Value

[B. J. Swanson]

Yes, Donovan.  Perhaps you should look up the taxes that the high tech
companies in Moscow contribute to the community and also look up the wages
they pay.  You might be pleasantly surprised.

 

B. J. Swanson

 

From: Donovan Arnold [mailto:donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, October 24, 2007 11:14 PM
To: B. J. Swanson; v2020
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Real Economic Value

 

BJ,

 

I fail to understand how anything you mentioned can be defined as growth if
it supported by tax dollars. Tax dollars take away from the income of
residents, it doesn't add. 

 

I think Moscow needs some tax generating industry and jobs, not just tax
supported jobs. 

 

Best,

 

Donovan

"B. J. Swanson" <bjswan at moscow.com> wrote:



The idea of high tech jobs being a good fit and economic driver for Moscow
is based on the assets and culture we already have to attract and support
them.  Assets being the University of Idaho, research dollars, quality of
life, arts community, etc.  The high tech jobs bring in new money to support
several other jobs within the community and raise the overall standard of
living.  Those high paying jobs will support housing, retail and overall
good of the community.  Very similar to the economic models of Dr. Richard
Florida.

We are not a Seattle, San Francisco or Washington DC, won't be in the next
100 years and it sounds like we don't want to be.  Comparing Moscow with
12,000 permanent residents with cities of over 1 million doesn't work.  We
have limited resources.  We are not a blue collar town and don't have an
industrial base to build from. But we are very fortunate to have two major
universities nearby and should capitalize on what they have to offer.

At the MCA Smart Growth Forum on Monday night, Robin Woods and David
Alexander explained why their companies are in Moscow instead of Seattle or
San Francisco.  Sue Hovey and Bev Bafus just said the same thing.  It's
quality of life.  Quality of life is not an interstate, a Wal-Mart or a
strip-mine.  It is a sense of community, the arts, walk ability, Farmers
Market, parks, open spaces, safety, good schools, Paradise Path/Latah Trail,
etc.  
 
Thanks to the current City Council and Mayor, we have a new fiber optic loop
funded by a grant, the first new building in Alturas Technology Park Phase
II and a proposed Urban Renewal District between the Downtown and the
University.  These are certainly not examples of "No-Growth" and
"Anti-Business" that the conservative candidates keep touting.  They are
also examples of a positive attitude for the future instead of dwelling in
the past. 

B. J. Swanson

"The affluence of the few presupposes the indigence of the many." Adam Smith
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