News Analysis: Progress or not?

The push is on for renewal of the Mississippi County half-cent sales tax, known locally as the economic development sales tax, and as with all things community, opinions are wildly varied across the area. I support the tax, both personally and in my job as director of the local chamber of commerce. I support it so strongly, in fact, that I have yet to hear one valid point for opposing it.

I voted for this small tax first in 2003, when a need for industrial development reigned supreme. The county was losing population, had great strength with Nucor presence, and had every reason to believe that industry could and would develop if only we could level the playing field in the ever-more-competitive quest for industrial placement.

The tax passed and was subsequently renewed and has been remarkably successful, especially with Nucor expansions and the acquisition of Big River Steel. Without the tax we would have thousands of jobs LESS. Without it we would not be the leader nationwide in steel production. Without it, it is hard to imagine what we would be—though the word poorer comes to mind.

The economic impact goes beyond employment. Let’s not kid ourselves. Our industries carry 60% of the property tax burden of Mississippi County.

In other words, 60 cents of every dollar spent on our roads, our hospitals, our libraries, jails, public safety, etc. comes from the industry base, and it is the economic development fund that works to build that base through retention, expansions and new additions.

Minus this solid industrial support, we would see a drastic reduction in quality of life, and/or we each likely would be paying substantially more in personal and property taxes.

That is not to say that I am completely happy with the tax. I am not. Even with manufacturing growth, we have continued to lose population. Jobs yes, residents, no. Our cities are not reflective of such a healthy industrial community. We could quibble about why—it is a complex issue--but in compliance with current laws, the tax has had limited flexibility. I am a proponent of revisiting that law and carefully creating avenues directed toward community development.

So, if you share the concern that communities could benefit more, you clearly must vote YES—it is a sure thing that without the tax, nothing will benefit.

Really, it boils down to one simple fact: We need all the help we can get. We live in a hard-struggling part of the country. Every step forward is a challenge. We can complain about a lot of things. Politics, leadership, poverty, mosquitoes—we find plenty to gripe about in a nation unsettled by so many issues. But complaining gains us zero. Money gains us a chance.

As citizens of Mississippi County, we cannot afford to discontinue this tax. We cannot afford to forego the smallest opportunity for progress.

It is our responsibility to solve our problems by voting thoughtfully, whether it is in electing leaders, taxing ourselves, or choosing public policy.

In this election, the thoughtful vote is a yes vote.