Tax exemptions to jumpstart local economy

Virtually every industry and every neighborhood nationwide has felt the effects of the double-dip recession, and signs of a turn-around are still few and far between.

High Springs is no exception, but the city is hopeful. The local market can’t be fixed overnight, but a new referendum could give a much-needed leg up for business in the area.

Around the country, those who lost their jobs remain unemployed, and the lay-offs keep coming. Profits are a thing of the past, and the most many can hope for is just getting by in today’s economy.

The federal government, perhaps the most broke entity of all, has tried all sorts of stimulus tactics. Some have helped, but not enough.

In the November election, High Springs citizens voted in favor of authorizing the city government to grant ad valorem tax exemptions to qualified new and expanding businesses.

The referendum is designed as a tool for the city to use to offer an extra economic boost where it can, allowing the City Commission to offer tax breaks as incentive to attract new industry to High Springs and also to encourage growth and expansion for already established local companies.

At a Nov. 18 meeting, David Ramsey, senior director of economic development for the Council for Economic Outreach (CEO) at the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, made recommendations for several minor revisions to the wording of the city ordinance instating the referendum.

The commission voted to adopt the ordinance with the recommended changes.

The CEO’s president and chief executive officer, Brent Christensen, told the commission it’s an exciting initiative for High Springs to have this new tool at its disposal.

High Springs is currently the only city in the area with this type of ordinance, making it that much more advantageous in the struggle to attract industry to the local area.