Why Do We Pay NNDA $100,000 A Year
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Mon, 07/11/2016 - 3:39pm
Why do we pay Northern Nevada Development Authority $100,000 dollars a year?
In short, we tax payers pay them to talk to local manufacturers.
In August of 2014 Carson City entered into a two-year contract with NNDA for $150,256 with the stated goal of “create a one-stop resource for existing Carson City manufacturers for all issues attached to growth, expansion, and retention of their business”. Additionally Carson City provides $24,000 a year in other financial support to NNDA.
That sounds like a good goal until some other facts are considered. NNDA is a government created entity supported by mass amounts of tax dollars. NNDA is in direct competition with PRIVATE economic development efforts. The stated goal of creating a “one-stop resource” (monopoly) clearly indicates that NNDA believes the private sector cannot or should not help itself. As a government entity shouldn’t NNDA be helping all the Counties in its assigned region ? Actually government should not meddle in what should be a private effort.
Lets consider some other facts, you know, those pesky things we should rely on to make good decisions. My opponent and his business partners have worked with and for NNDA for many years. While campaigning in 2012 my opponent stated (loosely paraphrased but accurate) NNDA works on a regional basis and had not helped Carson City with recruitment and expansion because Carson City was not attractive to business. He made that statement knowing NNDA held a contract to recruit business specifically to Douglas County. NNDA now holds competing contracts to recruit business to both Douglas County and Carson City. NNDA brought no new or expanded business to Carson City until it was paid directly to do so.
So what did we tax payers, get for our $200,000? A two year study that told us what we already knew.
1. The number one concern of manufacturers (48%) is a lack of qualified workers. The legislature, WNC, Carson City, Carson City School District and engaged employers have been working on that issue prior to the NNDA study.
2. The number two concern (per 38% of manufacturers) is a lack of infrastructure. This has been a known issue for some time. I knew it as long ago as 2010. Really, it doesn’t take a $200,000 study to see failed roads, no sidewalks or bike paths, inadequate and unmaintained storm drainage. I don’t know why we paid NNDA for this info when the City Manager said he figured it out just by parking his car and observing the traffic congestion. By the way, none of these issues in the Industrial Park area have been on the City’s priority lists.
3. Concern number three is difficulties regarding taxes and regulations. Yep, knew that too. Anybody concerned about our local and state economies have had ongoing conversations about this for several years.
JUST A RECAP:
It took two years and $200,000 to have a government entity (that interferes with private efforts) tell us stuff we already knew.
There is no question NNDA can put together information and create/execute a plan. NNDA can produce results. I suggest these efforts are better left to the private sector. I suggest a conflict of interest when NNDA signs contracts to work for multiple specific Counties when it should be working for all the Counties in its assigned region. I suggest a conflict of interest when my opponent supports the financial gain of an entity he and his business partners work so closely with.
We (collectively) have to make better decisions.
I have the background and experience to see through these wasteful exercises in time and money. I have the time and energy to work on the issues facing our community.
I am offering you my full-time effort to work on the issues that face our community.
I ask for your support and vote in the November elections. Please freely contact me anytime you have a question or comment. You don’t have to wait for a special Friday to talk to me on my schedule. I will listen to any of you any time you like.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Maurice White
775-297-6484
yourvoicematterscc@gmail.com
www.yourvoicematterscc.com
PS Visit my website for more information about the upcoming elections.
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