It is truly baffling why the Town of Parker continues to offer
huge tax breaks to large, rich corporations wishing to do business
in Parker such as the $6 million tax incentive recently offered to
Target. Target was already doing business in Parker. We didn’t need
to “attract it.”
By Barb Adams
Tax incentives are meant for impoverished communities or
communities that are isolated, far away from any urban areas in
order to attract needed jobs and to improve an economy. I hardly
think Parker would qualify as an impoverished area. The only thing
these new retail stores and chain restaurants are offering to the
area are low paying service jobs.
Parker is not desperate to “attract businesses.” Parker is a
very desirable area to do business, close to metropolitan areas,
and large business corporations know this. These corporations know
they are going to make money once they’re here.
So why are we “begging” them to come here by offering them tax
incentives? If anything, we should be charging them more for the
privilege of tapping into our incredible buying power in the Parker
area.
The question also begs are these same types incentives also
being offered to independent small business owners in Parker –
those who could really use it? I doubt it.
It seems the goal of the planning commission is to squash all
independent small business owners in order to dominate the area
with big corporate money and market dominance.
Plus, all the newer stores are concentrated on the south end of
Parker, draining money away from those areas farther north. Why not
offer tax incentives for the older businesses to fix up their store
fronts.
These policies are ill thought out and certainly not in keeping
with the town’s stated goal of “maintaining a small town feel.”