Apparently gift cards aren't just for Birthdays anymore. When you have no idea what to get someone for their birthday, you go with Gift Cards. Apparently a Hernando County Commissioner thinks that's a good idea for the local economy also. According to today's St.Pete Times, Jim Adkins wants to offer gift cards to new home buyers in the County. 2.5 Million dollars worth, out of our tax money.
In the article it states The goal would be to entice home buyers into purchasing foreclosed properties. At the same time, gift cards the buyers receive would infuse the local economy with cash.
I'm sure Mr.Adkins heart is in the right place. But perhaps his research isn't. Foreclosed homes and short sales are the best selling listings in Hernando County already.
What the County needs Mr. Adkins, is jobs. Jobs that help to move this County away from a construction based economy and into something a bit more sustainable. Jobs that will make it possible for people to move to the area and find work, so they can pay for the house you want them to buy with your Gift Cards.
If we had schools with computers less then 10 years old, and teachers ten years older than their students. perhaps more people would find Hernando County a great place to settle down and buy a home.
Or perhaps, Mr. Adkins, you should spend that money on job training for all the unemployed residents of the County. Or perhaps an increased incentive for companies to set up shop right here in the Nature Coast.
Or maybe, you can give those Gift Cards to some of Hernando Counties long time residents, you know the ones that paid you the tax money you are about to spend, that can't find jobs and are losing their homes and adding to the inventory of foreclosed homes faster than your Gift Card program will be able to sell them.
It is completely ridiculous that this County still remains on course to build,build,build. Can't we change the station and play a different tune for a while?
How about turning the old K-Mart building in to a multiple cottage industry location where people can go find work?
How about setting up a County sponsored weatherizing class for all those unemployed construction workers? After the class, they have a new job skill.
How about a County tax cut or credit for homeowners that install solar panels?
How about a County sponsored, resident operated, solar panel factory in the Industrial Park? The panels could be given out to home owners and tied into the grid. Then both the County and the homeowner could benefit from a lower electricity bill every month.
How about leasing the Boy Scout camp to the Ren Fair or some other tourist attracting event for a few months out of the year? It just sits there empty for most of the year.
How about County sponsored, resident operated, Eco Tours of the Nature Coast while it can still be called that?
Or if you must build, build, build how about pushing for the builders to set a new standard on Eco-friendly homes? Or a subdivision that is designed from the ground up to be green and self sustaining? Something that attracts National attention and sets a standard for others to meet.
Or, how about a Green Certification Program for home owners. The County could establish a green Home certification process. The County could offer courses to REALTORS or appraisers or inspectors to teach them how to certify a home as green. Then that home would receive a credit or additional exemption on their property taxes. This works wonderfully in Austin, TX.
New ideas are needed Mr.Adkins, and yours is a step in the right direction, as it shows you can think outside the box. You just need a bigger box.