This is what I heard about the situation when Food City got their 2 million from the county. When Food City built their new big KVAT center in Abingdon the Washington County Board of Supervisors gave 2 million or 2.5 million taxpayer dollars to Food City to entice them to keep operations in Washington County. This was so the Mid Mountain operation and KVAT offices would continue to operate in Washington County. Will they offer Kroger an incentive to stay in Abingdon?
Along these same lines the Town of Abingdon paid for the road into the new facility after a large donation to the Town by Food City. Basically, Food City took their free taxpayer dollars and donated it back to the town so that the company would not have to pay for the road. The road leads to the ball fields so it was natural that the Town would have to cough up the money for the road. If Food City had to pay for the road, then it would have cost the company much more than the 2 million donation to the town. Nothing wrong here just smart business from the leadership of Food City.
The problem I have is it is 2 million in taxpayer dollars that went to the company. Businesses open for years have to close after paying taxes for years then, Food City gets money, while they close with nothing to show for the years of paying taxes.
It would be interesting and maybe a further article on Bristol and the Casino. If Bristol offered up a lot of incentive for the Casino to come and businesses that have paid taxes for years is closing, I somehow do not think this is fair or right. But we will see maybe Bristol did not give up anything to have the Casino in Bristol. If they did and these long-time businesses are closing then that is the same as theft stealing tax money from these businesses for years only to have them give it to a business that help put them out of business.
Government bodies need to be careful picking winners and losers. It is just not fair for businesses to pay taxes for years only to have tax dollars given to the very industry that helps put them out of business. If these companies are so great, then why do they need free taxpayer money in the first place. Especially coming from localities that have raised taxes on their citizens.
Kroger? Would the county or town give some money to get Kroger to stay? They gave to keep Food City operations in the county. But we all know they pick winners and losers. The losers here are the citizens, and the winner is Food City as the competition leaves. Some how all this does not seem right. No supervisor or town councilman I assume will come to the aid of Kroger. The big question is will they reach out and try to keep the store in Abingdon.
