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. av&&�b� Ory Manager Associated Information: Resolve Budget Approval: Hnancelnha Legal Approval: ry vor 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