My motivation for involvement with the Covington Business Association is to help positively influence the business climate in downtown Covington. Through this organization, I’ve met the city administration and many dedicated business owners. Over the years, I have asked the question to any one who cares to listen: what lobbying groups/efforts are in place to alleviate the tax burden of downtown businesses? The consensus is that offering incentives to downtown businesses would be unfair to businesses operating outside of the downtown area. Yet, there are entities downtown participating in tax abatement programs and bonds issued through the St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation that yield property taxes at a fraction of what most small businesses pay. Does this not constitute an unfair business climate, akin to the consensus that it would be unfair to offer incentives to some but not all? The criteria of programs is irrelevant, it is the same logic at work.
A level playing field would offer the same incentives and breaks to all businesses, or at least pursue programs that work to achieve this goal. Most cities have a “Downtown Development Office” that: assists businesses located in the downtown area, works to find occupancy for vacant commercial spaces, attracts new business and acts as a liaison between businesses and city administration. I am available to start tomorrow.
by Timothy Achan Gates email: covweekly@gmail.com
