Mayor Mike Muzychka's idea to look at cutting taxes on a regional basis to help alleviate the pain local businesses are feeling is an interesting idea.
That idea is reported in today's Albertan.
I wonder how it will go over with other urban municipalities located within the geographical boundaries of Mountain View County as well as the county council itself.
Anything is worth trying, I guess.
For some reason, Muzychka didn't mention that idea during the Olds Open For Business town hall breakfast meeting.
That event, held Aug. 21 in the Olds Royal Canadian Legion branch, was organized by the Olds & District Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the Town of Olds and Uptowne Olds committee.
Murray Elliott of Mountain View Publishing asked Muzychka what the town plans to do to help local businesses.
"We're getting beat up," Elliott said, noting there are lots of empty buildings in the community, including one he owns.
"You can't build pipelines, I understand that; you're limited. But if you're not getting that message — and I hope you are — things are tough. We still have taxes to pay and businesses to run."
Muzychka alluded to the town's creation of an economic secretariat. It's made up of representatives of the Town of Olds, Olds Institute and Olds and District Chamber of Commerce.
Its purpose is to respond to requests from potential businesses for information about the community in a coordinated way and "laser focus" economic development in the community.
Muzychka also said he's hoping initiatives brought forward by the new Alberta government, such as cuts to the corporate tax rate, will lure new businesses into the community.
"I think if everything goes right, in 18 months from now, Alberta will be the place to be in North America as far as economic (policies) go," Muzychka said.
He noted the town will soon have "some new tools from the Alberta government as well to maybe stimulate some economic stuff, so we're looking at that as they come in."
One example of that is Bill 7, the Municipal Government (Property Tax Incentives) Amendment Act, which gives municipalities in Alberta new powers to provide tax breaks for up to 15 years to businesses willing to set up in a community.
"So when I get up here and I'm very glowy and very excited about it, it's the future. It's something that I"m hoping is going to come very, very quickly -- over the next 18 to 24 months," he said.
Eighteen to 24 months is a long time for businesses to wait for the possibility of some relief. They need help now, otherwise, many will go under, and there'll be even more vacant space in the community.
