4 years, 2 months ago by Scott Hardy
Retail incentives designed to help grow city's population over 10 years
The Moore Administration has introduced the first components of a plan designed to increase Quincy's population over the next 10 years. Scott Hardy has more from Monday night's City Council meeting.
( Audio 1:53 )
The Council heard and approved a first reading of a proposed ordinance that would establish a retail incentive program, as part of Mayor Kyle Moore's 45 by 30 plan. That's set up to increase the city's population to 45,000 by 2030. As laid out in a presentation last fall, the incentives include a re-development program for buildings 20 years old or older which would rebate a portion of sales taxes collected at the store. Also part of the ordinance are incentives for specialty retailers, and an anchor attraction program where national chains would receive incentives to move into currently empty anchor stores. Those incentives are being paid for through the 1 cent food and beverage tax passed in the fall. Moore says that if the city doesn't act to attract new businesses, Quincy could have to deal with several different problems.
( Mayor Kyle Moore :13 )
Moore also gave a preview of what the Council will hear two weeks from now, when the ordinance will have its' final reading.
( Mayor Kyle Moore :16 )
Sixth Ward Alderman Richie Reis, who had opposed the food and beverage tax, thinks the Council should approve the incentives.
( Alderman Richie Reis :16 )
The Council also approved a first reading of an ordinance to annex nine properties into the City, most of which are on 24th Street, just north of Locust.
