Council orders reduction in ED funding to Cleveland 20/20 - 12:30 p.m.
Councilman Bob Still proposed trimming the economic development funding to Cleveland 20/20 from $60,000 to $30,000. He said Kings Mountain contributes $30,000.
Over the last year, Kings Mountain has seen significant jobs announcements, such as Christ Craft and Indian Motorcycle, while Shelby has seen less few jobs created.
"We pay a tremendous amount of money to market something that is not there," said Still. "We're marketing an empty shelf. We're not getting much bang for our buck."
He said the city doesn't have very many empty buildings and property to market. He said once the city finishes some infrastructure expansions, such as the East Side Sewer Project, the council can go back and look at the funding. He said the expansion would open large tracts for development.
He said the city would be better off using the money for a code enforcement officer.
The mayor disagrees. He said it look bad to the private investors that are helping Cleveland 20/20 lure new industries to the area.
"I think that's sending the wrong signal for our economic development efforts," said Mayor Ted Alexander.
Councilman Joel Shores said the county and Cleveland 20/20 are doing a great job but finances are tough for the city. He said the strong relationship between the county and the city still needs to remain.
"We have a tight budget year," said Shores. "Kings Mountain is paying $30,000. They are seeing growth and we're not."
City Manager Rick Howell said he will abide by the decision. He recommended the council to meet with county commission chair and the county manager, but a majority of the council said they made up their mind already.
"If its the general consensus of the council we'll make the adjustment," said Howell.
Over the last year, Kings Mountain has seen significant jobs announcements, such as Christ Craft and Indian Motorcycle, while Shelby has seen less few jobs created.
"We pay a tremendous amount of money to market something that is not there," said Still. "We're marketing an empty shelf. We're not getting much bang for our buck."
He said the city doesn't have very many empty buildings and property to market. He said once the city finishes some infrastructure expansions, such as the East Side Sewer Project, the council can go back and look at the funding. He said the expansion would open large tracts for development.
He said the city would be better off using the money for a code enforcement officer.
The mayor disagrees. He said it look bad to the private investors that are helping Cleveland 20/20 lure new industries to the area.
"I think that's sending the wrong signal for our economic development efforts," said Mayor Ted Alexander.
Councilman Joel Shores said the county and Cleveland 20/20 are doing a great job but finances are tough for the city. He said the strong relationship between the county and the city still needs to remain.
"We have a tight budget year," said Shores. "Kings Mountain is paying $30,000. They are seeing growth and we're not."
City Manager Rick Howell said he will abide by the decision. He recommended the council to meet with county commission chair and the county manager, but a majority of the council said they made up their mind already.
"If its the general consensus of the council we'll make the adjustment," said Howell.
posted by Pete DeLea at
12:07 PM
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