Tuesday, April 15, 2008 — I’m concerned that the Stanly County commissioners are being short-sighted and misguided with their last-ditch attempts to deny Alcoa a new license for its dams on the Yadkin River.
To suggest that a government-run operation will be more beneficial to Stanly County than a private enterprise demonstrates that county officials don’t understand the negative impact such a move would have on businesses in our community.
As a private business owner who located in Stanly County because of Alcoa, I can tell you that Alcoa’s presence here supports many local businesses like mine.
By outsourcing services to local contractors, Alcoa can get work done more efficiently and with lower costs. I employ a number of people who work directly for Alcoa but are not technically Alcoa employees. These people live here, pay taxes here and support local establishments.
Will I stay if the property becomes government run? Probably not. The business opportunities will be much more limited with a government-run enterprise, so I’ll probably pack up and move to a place where my business — and private industry in general — is more valued.
The commissioners also should consider how their relentless attacks on Alcoa will impact Stanly County’s ability to attract new companies here in the future. If you were a private business owner thinking about moving your company to Stanly County, imagine how you would react.
No business owner wants to move to a place where this type of treatment of a long-time corporate citizen is not only tolerated, but encouraged, by our elected leaders. I’m afraid that Stanly County is shooting itself in the foot by earning a reputation for being unfriendly to private businesses.
I write this letter as a concerned employer in a county that needs to enhance its attractiveness to private employers for its economic well being. I don’t think citizens are going to be best served if the largest employer becomes the government.
Development of the private sector is crucial to sustainable economic growth which creates jobs and increases the tax base and ultimately benefits its citizens. We must have a market-friendly environment for economic growth, lest we cause an avalanche of problems that could take years to recover from.
On a related note, I can tell you that the claim made by the county’s public relations firm (MMI Associates) that Alcoa was delayed in making the necessary upgrades to its facilities is completely false. I’ve worked with Alcoa for more than 20 years on its hydro operations in North Carolina and it has been working to upgrade its facilities for more than 15 years.
Most people don’t realize what is involved in the process — inspections, engineering assessments, financing, selection of contractors — and how long it takes. The first round of physical upgrades began more than 12 years ago and much more work is planned for the future.
Richard L. Glenn
Letters to the Editor
County’s efforts send wrong message to potential businesses
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We are not the bad guy
This letter is for staff writer Ian Faulkner. You do not seem to think the threat from North Korea is serious. Read your history of war. I’m glad that our country takes it serious.
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Citizens need to participate in health assessment
The Stanly County Health Department is partnering with Stanly Regional Medical Center to conduct a community health assessment.
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New bill would help business
I am writing in reference to a new “open competition” auto insurance bill that was introduced in the N.C. House and Senate.
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Respect the graves
As far back as I can remember, as far back as my grandparents could remember there has always been a clump of trees located across from Centerview Church, up on the hill, on the Northeast Connector.
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Encouragement
How refreshing each week to read the article written by Doug Creamer.
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Permit me
On Sept. 4, 2012, I received a letter from Stanly Co. Office of Planning and Zoning. Thus began a string of four office visits to obtain information that could have been provided sooner.
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What is unethical?
I am writing in response to your article “Unethical Conduct leads mayor to question board’s actions.”
As a cancer survivor, I am appalled at the actions of Mayor Danny Long. -
Community comes together for child
Jan. 13, I witnessed an extraordinary event at a fundraiser for a baby at Bob’s Family Restaurant in Midland.
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Applauding the commissioners
In response to the recent article by Brian Graves regarding Clean Tech, I think that our county commissioners should be commended for their stand against Clean Tech’s offering jobs in exchange for Alcoa to be relicensed to operate the hydro dams on the Yadkin-Pee Dee.
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Budget tips
The government has a problem with the budget. Why? The Republicans and the Democrats blame one another. Why? Don’t they both spend the money? Foolishly.
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We are not the bad guy
