Government Affairs
2008 Election Candidates and Candidate Survey Responses back to main Candidate page
Candidate Survey Responses – On The Issues – Each Question, All Candidates
10. Would you support/oppose the City offering financial incentives, including infrastructure improvements that may assist in attracting new employers to Flagstaff? Why or Why not?
Mayor Joseph Donaldson
I would support offering financial incentives for infrastructure improvements and capital investment as long as there is a strong community benefit. We have already done that for local businesses and we recently did that to attract a new airline to Flagstaff. Being a full-time mayor gives me the opportunity to be where a mayor must be to secure these opportunities.
Sara Presler-Hoefle
I support financial incentives to assist in attracting new businesses to Flagstaff. The City has a real opportunity to partner with the Chamber of Commerce rather than compete with it. I think the City should invite the Chamber to the table, early in the collaborative process, to find mutually agreeable solutions to economic development.
It generally takes two-income families to purchase a home in Flagstaff. I know the Chamber of Commerce has an online job bank with local employers. We should expand upon this good idea. It could be possible to create a job bank in the greater Flagstaff area among local employers that would solve some of the trailing spousal issues. If the first member of the household obtained a position with an employer in the job bank, the partner/spouse could obtain a unique password into the job bank database. When logging in under this password, job bank employers are alerted that this applicant is participating in the program. In return, the employer could agree to interview the candidate. Preference in hiring is not required- just creating an opportunity for dual income households to handle the trailing spouse issues. Employers receive a long term benefit due to increased employee retention and the potential for home ownership. It is not a promise to hire, it is just an interview. The cost could be minimal because this could be an online resource, password protected, and potentially supply employers with a valuable tool in evaluating interview opportunities. The point is that there must be two approaches: offering affordable housing and assisting families with increasing wages.
Karla Brewster
Yes, I would support this incentive, as long as the business would agree to some stipulations that the city might have such as agreeing to remain in Flagstaff a certain length of time or committing to the employer assistance housing program or other needed issue. In committing to financial incentives, the state should help in this area too as part of business development. This would also be a great opportunity to implement the “green” codes making the business more sustainable and energy efficient helping with their cost of operations.
Coral Evans
I would support the City offering financial incentives that may assist in attracting new employers to Flagstaff when appropriate. However, I also firmly believe that businesses that are offered and accept such incentives must be held accountable to the established incentive guidelines [e.g. hiring local residents, paying livable wages, etc.] and such incentives should also be offered to established businesses (when appropriate) as well.
Morgan Hagaman
I would look first at offering financial incentives to our current Flagstaff businesses to see if we can help them expand and grow. Flagstaff needs to take care of the businesses that have helped make this town such a great place. I would also support offering incentives to attract new businesses. Any new positive business that can succeed in Flagstaff will be a positive for Flagstaff.
John McCulloch
Yes, Infrastructure planning & investments are part of what governments do. With proper planning we should be pro-active and make those investments before a company considers Flagstaff. We could have buildable, pre approved locations for businesses.
Micole Shorty
Supporting financial incentives in infrastructure improvement to accommodate more business will enrich a more respectable wage earning pool. It will be beneficial to us all having those business dollars flow into our economy.
Al White
Yes but we must be thoughtful of who and why. An essential fairness issue exists in offers not made to existing firms. All too often the anticipated delivery of jobs for benefits falls short for the locals. The cost/benefit analysis must show incredible benefit including multiple support spin off industries that can incubate locally or we would be better served incentivising locals to grow. |
