Rocky Mount Event Center next Step

Via the Rocky Mount Government FB page.

Question asked,

When will the next community Meeting concern the Event Center be held?

Answer,

No community meeting has been scheduled. The next step will be the presentation of a financial plan in March. An agenda will be posted on the City's website closer to that date.

So does this mean that the community of Rocky Mount will or will not get it’s chance to air their opinion on this project.

Personally the citizens of Rocky Mount need to have their said in this matter.

Cost info,

What is the estimated cost for this center, and will citizens be burdened with
a heavy tax to pay for it? The cost will be $37 million, and there are a number
of potential sources for funding, including the following:

* New Market Tax Credits-This program provides tax credit incentives to
investors for equity investments in low-income communities. The goal is
to spur revitalization efforts in low-income and impoverished areas across
the U.S. With new market tax credits, costs could be reduced by 25
percent.

* Occupancy Tax Revenues-Hotel/motel taxes could potentially be
increased by one percent and generate $250,000 per year. Currently in
Nash County, the occupancy tax rate is five percent.

* Sales Tax Revenues-There is a possibility of increasing the local sales tax
by 0.25 percent for Nash County.

* Prepared Food and Beverage Tax-this local tax may apply to restaurants,
food and beverages available in bars, public assembly venues, coffee
shops and bakeries, catered meals and the like.

Also it should be noted that center could experience an operating loss from $300,00 to $600,000 per year. the cost would come from the city’s general operation funds.

People also need to know for the center to be successful, new Hotels will need to be built near the center too.

The center would also only create about 90 jobs, with only 19 full time jobs, construction might add 199 temp jobs..

Yes the Center might spur growth and development, but at what cost to the citizens. Yes more jobs would be great, but what about those who would lose their homes, and be displaced.

I suggest every RMT citizen to contact their City Council representative, make you opinion known to those who will no doubt decide to build this center.. click here for city Council info.

One last thought on this would the Center be build on the Edgecombe side of Rocky Mount or Nash County side???