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Good for Fed Ex. Its a better location for them. And thank goodness they only moved to Perrysburg - they could have gotten fed up enough with Carty's BS and moved further away and cost the area 600 jobs.

posted by billy on Sep 17, 2007 at 02:06:35 pm     #

I'm somewhat confused as to why Toledo is apparently going to receive a portion of the tax revenues from FedEx relocating to Perrysburg Twp. Is there a preexisting agreement in place between Toledo and Perrysburg Twp for the property that FedEx is relocating to?

Also, the Blade story says Carty would refuse the tax abatement for FedEx. How does he have the power to refuse a tax abatement in Perrysburg Twp?

posted by HeyHey on Sep 17, 2007 at 02:16:44 pm     #

It seems P-burg Township and Toledo would create a new tax agreement. From the July 2007 BG Sentinel-Tribune story titled Perrysburg Twp. cancels FedEx meeting :

Perrysburg Township officials were all ready to consider a tax sharing deal with the city of Toledo should FedEx decide to move its freight hub and 600 jobs from Toledo to the township. Perrysburg Township officials say they were willing to share revenues with Toledo in the spirit of regional cooperation and keeping jobs here in Northwest Ohio.

“The meeting was supposed to be a discussion about regionalism and how we could share (payroll income tax) revenues with Toledo in case FedEx decides to come here,” said township Administrator John Hrosko.

From Rossford's Bass Pro development area, Toledo will receive 27 cents of every dollar generated from employee income tax and net business profits.

From Maumee's Mall of Fallen Timbers, Toledo will receive 33 cents of every dollar generated from income tax.

posted by jr on Sep 17, 2007 at 03:03:05 pm     #

HeyHey - I don't know whether it's state law or just policy, but in the past, the state has not offered tax incentives to a company moving from one in-state location to another in-state location - as an effort to keep the state from siding with one community over another. I seem to recall that there was some provision for the 'losing' community to not object to any state tax incentives, thus allowing such incentives to be offered....thus, Carty's claim that he'd fight any such offer from the state toward this move.

I think this scenario would be unlikely considering that they'll probably reach a tax-sharing agreement. And Carty should thank his lucky stars that Perrysburg was still willing to do this after his comments.

posted by MaggieThurber on Sep 17, 2007 at 05:54:55 pm     #

According to the video that went with this link, http://www.nbc24.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=51359, a township couldn't collect any income tax without the participation of a place that collects income tax. The township will share in the revenue collected. Also, they will be able to depend on Toledo to provide water and sewage. Seems like a win/win situation for both governments. As to Carty's claim that he had taken all this into consideration when he "got in the face" of Perrysburg Township's government might not be the whole truth.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Sep 18, 2007 at 12:11:08 am     #

My next question is: could the city of Perrysburg have provided the "front" to the township to collect the income taxes that Toledo will now collect, and share with Perrysburg Township?

posted by oldsendbrdy on Sep 18, 2007 at 12:14:40 am     #

Hum...at least the area keeps the jobs. I would think a location out at Express Airport would have been better. It definitely would have helped kick start their business park they are wanting to develop south of the airport.

As far as the income tax sharing idea, only comment I have to say there - I'm very thankful I moved to a state where there isn't any local income tax at all.

posted by JustaSooner on Sep 18, 2007 at 01:20:29 am     #

Sep 18, 2007 Blade story

In an agreement that ensures Toledo's cooperation in FedEx Ground's likely relocation to Perrysburg Township. The joint economic-development district will include the area FedEx Ground has tentatively selected to relocate its Toledo ground-transportation hub.

FedEx has not announced where it plans to move, and has said it is looking at sites in Michigan as well as Toledo. FedEx spokesman David Westrick did not return a phone call seeking comment.

So a chance still exists for the unstable Carty and the rest of the government clowns in Toledo and Lucas County to do something stupid to scare FedEx out of the region altogether.

From today's Blade story, here's another example of how whacked Carty is, as if we need another example.

In the past, the [Toledo] mayor has aimed harsh criticism at Perrysburg Township and Wood County for what he called "poaching."

Mr. Finkbeiner said he knew that FedEx was considering moving across county lines, and he wanted to alert officials there that Toledo would want to be made whole. Mr. Finkbeiner also had threatened to try to block approval of a property-tax abatement for FedEx if the company applied for it.

"If the shoe was on the other foot, they would have felt the same way," Mr. Finkbeiner said.

Carty is such a blockhead along with being a jerk.

Perrysburg Township was already planning to make a tax sharing agreement with Toledo before Carty made an ass of himself and Toledo by shooting off his mouth back in July. This agreement announced Sep 17 has nothing to do with Carty. This agreement has more to do with Perrysburg Township being more congenial, intelligent, realistic, and progressive than the Finkbeiner administration, although that's not saying much, since it doesn't take a lot to be better than the Finkbeiner administration. Having a pulse and the ability to keep quiet is all that's required to be better than Carty and his gang.

Again, from the late July 2007 Sentinel-Tribune story:

Perrysburg Township officials were all ready to consider a tax sharing deal with the city of Toledo should FedEx decide to move its freight hub and 600 jobs from Toledo to the township. Unfortunately, according to township officials, Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner may have ruined it. Wood County officials say they don’t seek out Toledo businesses but rather respond to inquiries about available development opportunities here in the county. FedEx made such an inquiry more than a year ago.

Oh, we forgot that only a month ago, Carty exploited the murders in Perrysburg Township in an imbecilic attempt to show that Toledo was somehow safer than surrounding communities. Carty said:

"Compared to our brother and sister cities, [Toledo] is doing a remarkable job of its citizens living together. We do have a safe city. I don't want to wish any harm or ill will, but isn't it remarkable that today the city of Toledo has six murders and Perrysburg Township has two?"

So what great works of wisdom can we expect from Toledo government this month? Oh, yeah, Carty's plan to takeover private property at Southwyck with an eminent domain sham that features a mysterious new road.

posted by jr on Sep 18, 2007 at 09:19:08 am     #

Yes, I noticed that FedEx hasn't yet made a decision. Anyone know if there is a payroll tax in Monroe County - specifically, Lasalle or Erie Townships along I-75?

This deal is a good cooperative agreement between Toledo and P-burg Twnshp (no thanks to Carty but because of the benevelance of P-burg) - but is it the best deal for FedEx? By moving to this location, they'll not be saving any money in the payroll taxes and they'll be paying more for water, as Toledo imposes a sur-charge on non-Toledo customers.

If I were FedEx, I'd be calculating differences in taxes between Lucas and Monroe counties and between Ohio and Michigan.

All this just to say that we still have a way to go before we can celebrate about FedEx.

posted by MaggieThurber on Sep 18, 2007 at 10:21:39 am     #

Apparently, required reading at One Government Center

posted by jr on Sep 18, 2007 at 07:26:56 pm     #

Sep 18, 2007 Bowling Green Sentinel-Tribune story

The actual memorandum of understanding was signed in the evening in the township hall on Lime City Road. The final decision of whether Northwest Ohio will retain the hub and its 600 jobs will be made in FedEx corporate headquarters in Moon Township, outside of Pittsburgh.

The memorandum spells out a deal to create a Joint Economic Development District at a site in the township east of Glenwood Road and north of Ohio 795. Through this JEDD, Toledo will continue to collect income tax revenues from FedEx Ground employees in exchange for extending water and sewer lines to the site. The idea is to encourage FedEx to move its hub that is now in Toledo off South Reynolds Road to Perrysburg Township rather than outside the region.

“While we don’t want to see these jobs leave Toledo we certainly don’t want to see them leave Ohio. That’s why we worked with the Perrysburg Township trustees to create this JEDD.”

“We can no longer hang onto our fiefdoms and raid each other for jobs,” Finkbeiner said. “We have to work together to keep what we have in the region and develop a strong economy that benefits us all ... with this agreement there’s no reason for FedEx Ground not to stay in Ohio.”

Carty does not understand true regionalism. If FedEx moves to Monroe County, it's still a win for Lake Erie West because those jobs remain in the region. The region is not limited to just northwest Ohio.

What all these clowns should do is make a phone call to Monroe County just to be on the safe side on this FedEX issue and for future projects. Lucas, Wood, and Monroe Counties working together. What a concept. LEW is obviously much larger than those three counties, but first, try to break through that magical barrier called a "state line" before including the other counties in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan or Lake Erie West.

posted by jr on Sep 19, 2007 at 12:20:14 am     #

My brother opposed the construction of a Wal-Mart (along with many other members of the community). Depending on where the FedEx site is built they might bring their political power to ward it off. They worried about the traffic, and the employees that would come to that part of Southeast Michigan. They have fought against trailer parks for this reason. One of the reasons many have moved there is the rural nature (and lower taxes) that they have there. They aren't interested in being taxed to support infrastructure (sewers, an expanded electric grid, and water) just so some real-estate developer can make a killing selling farmland to some developer. This may not be "free enterrpise", but it is middle-class and upper middle-class voters trying to maintain their "lifestyle".

posted by oldsendbrdy on Sep 19, 2007 at 12:31:47 am     #

This site, http://www.bedfordwatch.com/, might give you an idea of the opposition that might face a FedEx that is built where the residents don't wish it.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Sep 19, 2007 at 12:44:25 am     #

OSEB - from my understanding of FedEx's stated needs, they wouldn't be in the Bedford area - more likely, they'd be along the I-75 corridor in Luna Pier, Erie, Lasalle Twnshp...maybe even near the old outlet mall on LaPlaisance Rd.

posted by MaggieThurber on Sep 19, 2007 at 08:24:14 am     #

"They aren't interested in being taxed to support infrastructure (sewers, an expanded electric grid, and water) just so some real-estate developer can make a killing selling farmland to some developer."

Monroe County is more than just Bedford.

What about that outlet mall development just up the road in Monroe County off of I-75?

What about Cabela's and all the development that has sprung up around it over the past seven years just up the road off 23? Why did they allow Cabela's to build there and become Michigan's #1 tourist attraction?

From a Jan 2006 comment

It's all part of the continuing economic boom that was caused almost entirely by the 225,000 square foot Cabela's store when it was opened in August, 2000. Mr. Burtch said local taxpayers have already witnessed the impact of Dundee's continuing development in their annual tax bills, which have dropped from 22 mills annually 18 years ago to the 10 mills assessed last year. "The village is doing pretty well financially," the village manager said.

From the Village of Dundee Web site :

• Tax Information
• Economic Development

Yes, actually, we [Dundee] are booming. Beautifully restored historic buildings housing interesting dining and shopping experiences. Big new hotels and restaurants on one edge of town. A “New Urbanist” subdivision under development on the other edge, with a variety of additional new housing about to sprout both from farm fields and downtown. A muscular industrial park attracting worldwide attention. A beautiful new high school under construction. A new water supply system bringing ample water in from Lake Erie. Plans underway for expansion of the sewage disposal system. Many new streets and sidewalks, including an extra wide walk connecting downtown with the nation’s largest outdoor outfitting store.

February 2003 posting that pointed to a corresponding Blade story titled Chrysler selects Dundee for plant :

Shattering perhaps for good what is left of the rural nature of this small Michigan village, DaimlerChrysler AG and two partners yesterday announced plans to build a $400 million automotive engine plant that is to produce 400 good-paying jobs.

February 2007 story

Chrysler plans to double capacity of its new four-cylinder engine plant in Dundee, Michigan, north of Toledo this year. About 480 people, including parts supplier employees, now staff the plant, said Chrysler spokesman David Elshoff. That could grow to around 550 by 2009 as the plant grows to its capacity of making 840,000 engines, he said.

Monroe County residents correctly fought off the eminent domain threat by a private developer to build a rail yard because that company wanted to steal family farm land, and I believe the Lucas County Port Authority supported this form of robbery. It was good the residents won and the company lost. But don't paint the picture that Monroe County is opposed to ALL development because that's not true.

posted by jr on Sep 19, 2007 at 08:36:30 am     #

Frankly, I wasn't considering Monroe County as a whole. And you have laid out that there is lots of development (rather there would be any sites suitable for a FedEx installation would bear further research). But zoning does have its place. Many people who have moved to rural areas for the ambience aren't looking forward to the developments that you have brought forth for review.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Sep 19, 2007 at 10:25:27 am     #

I think that one advantage that Perrysburg has over other areas is that there is a site already developed that could take FedEx. Are there potential sites that meets FedEx's criteria that are sited near roads that would allow triple-trailers without violating the federal restriction against their use on interstates?

posted by oldsendbrdy on Sep 19, 2007 at 10:28:47 am     #

I think that most of the roads attached via entrances/exits to I-75 have such capacity - at least between Detroit and Toledo...

posted by MaggieThurber on Sep 19, 2007 at 11:38:38 am     #

"IF FED EX MOVES TO MONROE COUNTY, ITS STILL A WIN FOR LAKE ERIE WEST BECAUSE THOSE JOBS REMAIN IN THE REGION. THE REGION IS NOT LIMITED TO JUST NORTHWEST OHIO'

Amen to that!!! When O-I moved to Perrysburg, jobs stayed in the region, and the region has a global company that gets 60% of its business from outside the USA.

And, the Lake Erie West Global Transportation Hub will probably be built in Monroe County bringing new jobs to the region.

Most of the world's economies are based on entire regions being involved. Because of our isolationistic past, the USA only has two: Silicon Valley & The Research Triangle in North Carolina. We have the opportunity to put ourselves on the global map by transforming ourselves into Lake Erie West and thereby creating new job opportunities(read Jr's. previous posts on Lake Erie West).

Skeptical? Dial up the Research Triangle on the internet. They just celebrated their 50th anniversary by posting their new 5 year plan. It includes creating 100,000 new jobs! I bet we could divert some of them to our region if we began playing the global game!

posted by lew on Sep 19, 2007 at 02:48:53 pm     #

Jack Lessenberry's blog, http://jackshow.blogs.com/jack/jobseconomy/index.html, concerning Michigan's politics supposes that Michigan might not be attractive to businesses right now. Any comments on that? They're certainly keeping taxes down.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Sep 19, 2007 at 03:47:03 pm     #

The discussion about Michigan taking the deal might be of academic interest only. According to this link, http://www.cabt.org/images/stories/CABT_PDF/triplemap.pdf, Michigan doesn't allow triples on its roads. I understood one of things FedEx wants to do is run "triples" from its facility to the highway.

posted by oldsendbrdy on Sep 19, 2007 at 10:31:11 pm     #

Sep 21, 2007 Carty Finkbeiner guest column in the Toledo Free Press.

In a global and highly competitive economy, it is essential that we focus on working together as a region. These steps were necessary to protect and keep jobs in this region, as well as to highlight how important it is to be flexible when working on economic development while creating solutions that meet private sector needs in the 21st century economy.

That had to pain Carty to read that. I certainly don't believe those are his actual thoughts. I don't believe those are the thoughts of any Toledo-based politician.

Carty added:

Overall the economy in Northwest Ohio is trending upward. The combined capital investment figures for Toledo and Wood County alone in 2006 was $807,200,000 with 1,750 jobs created and jobs retained at 2,931.

Do we have a source for that data besides the C-man? I wonder if anyone in the local lamestream media will ask Carty about the September 2007 bizjournals report?

Job Rankings for the 100 Largest Markets

Ranked 94th : Toledo, Ohio.

posted by jr on Sep 21, 2007 at 10:37:00 pm     #

jr - apples to oranges. Carty conveniently uses "Northwest Ohio" and "metro Toledo" for his data and the bizjournals article used just the city.

Not sure that many will catch the distinction.

posted by MaggieThurber on Sep 22, 2007 at 08:52:29 am     #

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