To the editor: 

An economic impact study for the Green Mountain Coffee project will be presented at today’s meeting of the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors. It indicates that over the initial 20 years, the county will realize a return of almost $4 for every $1 of incentives offered by Isle of Wight. Local sales tax alone generated from Green Mountain is projected to generate more than $200,000 during the initial five years of operations.

We need to look at the bigger picture when deciding on the budget. If our future goal is to reduce our tax rate, our focus must be bringing in new business revenue. The county has an opportunity because of Hampton Roads Ports’ expansion providing growth along the Route 460 corridor, and the state is providing funding for Route 460 expansion.

The previous board invested heavily in providing the perfect location for new businesses by expanding the intermodal park and contracting for water needs. This helped secure Green Mountain Coffee, with a projection of $1 million in revenue in 2013, and more going forward. Eventually 800 jobs will be created, production jobs averaging $40,000 per year. This is $32 million per year added to the economy.

Five large water user clients are considering locating in the park. Please tell Board members that it is critical to continue funding economic development. The county must pay to connect water from the Suffolk line to the park so we can access the water. It also must finish the main road in the park to continue to secure new businesses.

If you want to reduce the county real estate tax, tell the Board of Supervisors to commit $4 million to build this infrastructure now. Every citizen is needed to speak at the April board meeting, or call/write explaining reasons why. If they wait two years, Suffolk will get the port business.

Meanwhile, the $5.5 million funded for the new IW Rescue Squad building wastes more than $2.5 million. Ask the board to reconsider an ample rescue building the size of Carrollton Fire Station, as opposed to Smithfield Fire Station, with smaller bays for ambulances, also saving unmanageable annual utility costs to heat the bays.

Sharon Hart
Carrollton