Posted on Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 2:48 p.m.
SPARK East's landlord warns of impact to Michigan downtowns if state tax credits end
By Paula Gardner
The landlords for SPARK East's headquarters in downtown Ypsilanti say in an article on Freep.com that the tax cuts proposed by Gov. Rick Snyder will stifle the type of development that now houses the business incubator.
The Maurers in their most recent downtown Ypsilanti redevelopment project, 120-124 W. Michigan.
Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com
The tax credits, they told Freep.com, made the project work.
Snyder's proposed budget calls for eliminating specific incentives as part of streamlining business taxes, then creating a pool of $100 million to reward some projects.
Comments
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 4:01 a.m.
The best incentive for generating new business is a fair and consistent tax code. According to the SBA (part of the federal government), small businesses employ more than half of all private sector workers and have created 64% of all new jobs during the last 15 years. Most small business owners can't walk up to the state government and receive a million-dollar handout. According to a recent CNBC report, Michigan is the 41st-best state for business. This despite being the seventh-best state for technology and innovation. People like the Maurer's need to stop begging and start earning.
Macabre Sunset
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 4:01 a.m.
Darn those apostrophes sneaking in where they're not wanted...
jcj
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 12:20 a.m.
"The tax credits, they told Freep.com, made the project work." And how much of their money helped make it "work"
runbum03
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 12:12 a.m.
MB111 If other states keep subsidizing "business" (crony capitalism), they will soon go broke and many are. One of the reasons Michigan is not just toxic but is radioactive is the $$Billions it is handing out and the higher taxes that are needed. It is obvious to me that those who are promoting these handouts are clueless about business. If a business needs a handout to survive it is by definition not viable. The other reason Michigan is radioactive is the poor labor environment fostered by thousands of its professional activists and agitators. Finally, the world has entered into a period of turbulence and we will be lucky if we don't get drawn into it. Nothing is for sure anymore . . . perhaps for decades to come.
John B.
Wed, Mar 9, 2011 : 12:30 a.m.
'Drawn into it?' We created it, for the most part (the economic part, anyways).
MB111
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 9:22 p.m.
The unfortunate reality is that if other states are offering incentives, Michigan has to as well. We have to play on a level playing field. Other states are aggressive. We need to be competitive or we will not have any job creation.
runbum03
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 9:17 p.m.
Looks like it never was "viable" to begin with. Why should I be their mack-daddy? Find a new, real tenant . . . or find a real job.
Top Cat
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 9:16 p.m.
How do the rest of us taxpaying chumps get in on this racket ?
MikeAA
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
Who else is getting really tired of all this economic blackmail? Seriously, you own a business, you take some risks. If it didnt work without public support, than why isnt the first question you ask yourself: What can I do organizationally to make this worth my while? If you mathematically cant make it work, than declare bankruptcy and let somebody else who can make it work manage the assets.
nemo
Tue, Mar 8, 2011 : 10:18 p.m.
The blackmailers are the original property owners, who trashed the property, poisoned the soil, and abandoned it; and the government which collected revenues on that property over many years, demand it's cleanup and want it useable for continued revenue, but is unwilling to pay the price for the service. The Maurer's should be commended for rehabilitating this type of property and helping rebuild the city, instead of cutting out and investing their development dollars in a cornfield.