I posted this as a reply but it will be buried under other replies so thought it might be helpful to post the information again because someone might ask why some business gets incentives and not al of them do. There is a reason, important reasons. Convention centers and entertainment venues draw people and businesses to cities where people would not go otherwise. That is why all cities with good sense and that are able to do so encourage and support such enterprises to bring those added visitors who spend money at all the other businesses while they are in town. Someone who lives in Ft. Smith and has no relatives or friends in Texarkana probably would not come here, maybe they would pass through, but not stop long enough to support any business but a gas station if that. But, if they come with a convention, they may stay at any hotel, eat at any restaurant, shop locally, and if there is a water park they might also rent another room and bring the family! You see, it is only the things that draw people to stay in the City that make the big difference. So much damage is being done unnecessarily. The community is not hurt by the incentives. Really, we want the tourist here to be paying the taxes back into the City so the citizens dont have to and so the businesses can prosper. Maybe there should have been more education on the front end, maybe it was taken for granted that people would understand why a convention center and any recreational business helps the entire community. But, it isnt too late, I hope. Lets not persecute and tear down the hope of a more prosperous City with things to do and places to go, that someone would want to visit and spend time in. We need to support incentives that grow our city in healthy ways, with family activities. Give our grandchildren a future in Texarkana.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 11:12:54 +0000
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