Offer incentives

Opinion

Discussion

February 6, 2010

Anonymous The Kokomo Tribune Sat Feb 06, 2010, 10:09 PM EST

THE ISSUE Building the local economy.

OUR VIEW:Former Mayor McKillip’s incentive program could encourage more professionals to make the Kokomo MSA their home.

Back in September, we broke the news that Tipton County is courting a solar-panel maker to take over the vacant Getrag Transmission Manufacturing plant at U.S. 31 and Ind. 28.

Rick Hall, of the Indianapolis law firm Barnes & Thornburg, told Tipton County officials last year the company could invest $450 million in property improvements and equipment, and hire 850 people.

Though landing the outfit and jobs is not a done deal, it’s not too early for officials in Kokomo, Howard and Tipton counties to plan how to encourage workers to buy homes in the Kokomo Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Kokomo MSA includes Howard and Tipton counties.

We suggest enacting a financial incentive program to draw new residents to the area, as former Kokomo Mayor Matt McKillip did.

In 2005, McKillip launched “Project Grow Kokomo.” His administration set aside $100,000 in Economic Development Income Tax funds, offering four-year college graduates living outside Howard and four adjacent counties up to $10,000 toward a mortgage on a home within the city.

At the time, former city director of development, Jason Hester, said the economic gain to the city would outweigh the program’s cost.

“The city receives about $992 per year in property and income taxes from an average household living in a $100,000 home,” he said in 2005. “The average household will spend over $33,000 per year in discretionary spending. Over five years, multiplied by just a dozen new households, that adds up to more than $2 million to our local economy.”

Sources told us last year that electrical engineers make up many of the 850 jobs associated with the Tipton County prospect. Many engineers at General Motors Co.’s Delphi plants already commute from Hamilton County communities such as Carmel and Fishers.

McKillip’s innovative and inexpensive incentive program for homebuyers could encourage more professionals to make the Kokomo MSA their home.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Opinion

White shouldn’t return to office
The issue: The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state.

Our view: Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.

February 9, 2012
Editorial - Feb. 8, 2012: Grand success for Indianapolis
The issue: The Super Bowl.

Our view: Indianapolis left a great impression on thousands of visitors.

February 8, 2012
Letters to the Editor: Feb. 8, 2012
As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride. More Indiana students are graduating from high school than ever before.

February 8, 2012
Which religions will we include?
The Indiana Senate last week approved a bill that would allow public schools to teach creationism, as long as they include theories from multiple religions.

February 6, 2012 1 Photo
If you say so
In an opinion piece we published Thursday, state Rep. Mike Karickhoff announced why he voted against “right-to-work” legislation. His reason: The community told him to.

February 5, 2012
Cheers and jeers - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
Karickhoff acted ‘cowardly’

The Rev. Robin Wentworth Mayer and Horst G. Mayer of Kokomo send the Jeer for state Rep. Mike Karickhoff’s silence during the “right-to-work” debate:

“Mr. Karickhoff, for someone who’s new to office, you’ve certainly learned the art of talking out of both sides of your mouth.

February 3, 2012
Let’s drug test our lawmakers
Perhaps it’s appropriate that a measure passed by the Indiana House this week would ask not only welfare recipients but Indiana lawmakers to consent to a drug test.

February 3, 2012
Editorial - Feb. 2, 2012: Peru delivers a message
The issue: Peru’s collection of $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed.

Our view: Aggressive enforcement can help a city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.

February 2, 2012
Karickhoff: Reason behind my ‘right-to-work’ vote
There is no doubt the “right-to-work” debate has brought mixed emotions, not only to our state but District 30 as well. There were only a handful of House Republicans who did not vote in support of this legislation. Let me explain why I felt it was necessary for me to vote in opposition to right to work.

February 2, 2012
Heinig: ‘Right-to-work’ law to arouse continued resistance
I wouldn’t call Gov. Mitch Daniels a charismatic leader, but he does possess some leadership skills. If he didn’t, he couldn’t have brought us this far along the happy trail to his economic Valhalla.

February 2, 2012
More Opinion Headlines

Opinion

Search Results

Discussion

Offer incentives

Site Map

Contact Us