Candidate question No. 4

Editor’s Note: The West Alabama Watchman invited the four candidates for mayor of Demopolis to respond to five questions. Two of the candidates — incumbent mayor John Laney and businessman Woody Collins — responded. The Watchman will post one question each day through Monday and the responses from each candidate. 

Today’s question: How would you encourage business growth in Demopolis? What requirements would you support for businesses who receive concessions from the city?

Collins:  Business growth from within the community as well as new business recruitment are both products of good planning, preparation, and a sense of cooperation from our city leaders. As far as concessions and recruitment tools there is no single answer to this question as each and every opportunity is different and requires its own unique approach. We’ve simply got to use the expertise of our Industrial Development Board, as well as the City Council and Mayor to make the best decisions for our community.

Laney: I think this may best be answered by looking at Demopolis’ History. Gulf States Paper, now West Rock, asked for assistance in acquiring bonds to construct a paper mill. The City and its Industrial Development board worked with GSP to make this happen. GSP in return made “Payments in Lieu of Taxes” for around 30 years. The City was not required to spend any funds.

Two Rivers received from the City $4 million in financial and maintenance incentives with zero job requirements. The City’s leaders, including candidate Collins, signed off on this agreement. Upon my entering office, the legitimacy of the Two Rivers agreement was challenged on the basis that the City has entered into an agreement that a municipality may not enter.

To resolve this situation the City allowed Two Rivers to pick either to purchase or lease the property. They chose to purchase the property, thus saving Demopolis $2 million. This cut the total cost per job to $45,000 which is more acceptable. The purchase agreement also allowed Alabama Pellets to locate on the property which under the previous agreement was not allowed.

I support all new businesses in and around Demopolis, but incentives should not be give-a-ways without the City receiving real economic benefit at a realistic price per job. My position on Two Rivers was met with great opposition, but I believe that the solution that was reached was in the best interest of the City that I was elected to serve.

Tomorrow’s question: If elected, to what extent would you call upon your opponents to work with you in advancing Demopolis?