HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-02-28 00-122 RESOLVECOUNCIL ACTION
Item No.aO-Izz
Date: February 30, 3000
Item/Subject: Resolve, Calling Upon the State of Maine are the Maine State Legislature to
Continue Their Support for EMstlng Economic Development Incentive Programs.
Responsible Department: Clty Council
Commentary:
The attached resolve was discussed M the Joint Bangor/Brewer Coundl meeting of February 17. At not time,
a quorum of the Council was not present, so the resolve appears on tonight's consent agenda to allow for final
approval. Ons approved, this and the other resolves discussed with the City Council of Brewer will be
forwaMed as appropriate.
Dep otawsk Head
Manager's Comments:
I recommeaN your approval.
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Ory Manager
Associated Information: Resolve
Budget Approval:
Hnancelnha
Legal Approval:
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Introduced Passage Comment
First Reading page_of
Referral to Finance
00-122
Assigned to Couvcilur Crowley February 17,2000 ',I r?,.
® city of Brewer and city of Bangor - \
A
(TIRE.) Resolve, Calling Upon the State of Maine and the Maine State Legislature W Continue
Their Support for Existing Economic Development Incentive Programs.
WHEREAS, the Cities of Bangor and Brewer recognize that the State of Maine has a number of
inefficiencies and disincentives built into its business climate due to factors such as
the State's tax structure, the State's distance to many domestic markets, high
energy costs, and wide distribution of labor; and
WHEREAS, the State of Maine has developed an excellent menu of incentive programs
designed to help address the cast of such inefficlencies and disincentives so as to
help retain high-value jobs, encourage business development and foster corporate
profitability in our State; and
WHEREAS, Maine has also developed a number of targeted Incentives such as the Research
Tax Credit in order to help direct investment to specific, high-value areas of the
economy to produce well -paying jobs and continued business expansion for the
betterment of Maine citizens; and
WHEREAS, Maine's economic development incentive programs, Including Tax Increment
Financing (TIF), Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement (BETR), and others, are
tied to company performance to ensure that incentives are earned by businesses
pdor to them being received; and
WHEREAS, these incentive programs have repeatedly demonstrated their effectiveness for the
betterment of citizens in Brewer and Bangor, other communities in the State of
Maine, and the businesses Involved; and
WHEREAS, these programs, particularly TIF, BETR, and State training programs, provide the
State and its municipalities with powerful, effective, and Flexible tools with which
they can improve the economic well-being of Maine citizens and communities; and
WHEREAS, making changes to these programs without due consideration and consultation
could not only change their intent and structure, but also make them much less
effective and useful in the advancement of economic development; and
WHEREAS, many of the changes currently under consideration by the Maine State Legislature
in LD 2390, LD 2501, LD 2516, and LD 2433, and elsewhere would significantly
reduce the effectiveness of Maine's economic development incentive programs and
create a more difficult and hostile business environment In the State of Maine;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCILS OF THE CRY OF BREWER AND
BANGOR, THAT:
The continuation of Maine's economic development programs in their current form is critical to
the future of the Goes of Brewer and Bangor, Eastern Maine, and, in fact, the entire State;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that any changes made to Maine's economic development
incentive programs should be made only If and when they are recommended by the State's
Economic Development Incentive Commission, and even then, only after consultation and
input from communities and businesses across the State that utilize said Incentive programs;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolve be sent to the Governor, appropriate
Members of the State legislature, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, and the Eastern
Maine Development Corporation for their consideration as they address issues associated with
Maine's economic development incentive program.
IN Sin COUNCIL
February 28, 2000
Passed
00-122
RESOLVE
TlUe, Calling Upon the State of Neine
and the N State Legislature to
Continue 1Teir Support for Eafatfag
EcomWe Oeveloprent Incentive 'v._[...
Programs AssiAAed W