Funding the Growth Plan

To the Editor:

I have had the privilege of serving on the committee that developed the EDC Growth Plan. It was 18 months of hard work by a lot of people in our community, but it was worth it. The Growth Plan is one of the most unique and exciting economic growth plans in the country. It provides Fargo and Cass County with the tools to compete successfully for world-class companies that will bring world-class careers for our children and grandchildren.

The Growth Plan builds on the strengths of our area. Our superb K-12 education system and our outstanding colleges are tops in the region and in the country. But too many of our graduates are moving to other areas of the country to build their careers. The Growth Plan gives us the means to provide our outstanding graduates with exciting and fulfilling careers right here in Fargo and Cass County. I have been involved in economic growth issues and job development in Casselton for many years. This is the best plan I have ever seen. It holds real promise for all of Cass County.

It has been suggested that our rural areas and small towns outside the metro area will not benefit from the Growth Plan. This is not true. Cass County residents benefit from growth anywhere in our county. Growth means more revenue for the county, thus providing the funding needed to improve the lives of all our citizens.

Growth in our economy means growth in our population. Many young people will want to live in the rural communities outside of the metro area. That means more homes being built in Cass County communities and rural areas. That’s exactly what we have seen in Casselton, the community where I live.

In addition, our kids from throughout Cass County are attending and graduating from the exceptional colleges in our area. If they stayed to attend our great universities, why wouldn’t they stay if they had the opportunity to follow their dreams right here? We have the safest area in the country, the cleanest environment, the finest schools and colleges, growing cultural opportunities, and a strong housing market. If we can combine that with new and exciting careers provided by new and exciting companies from around the world, we will be a destination point for graduates, not a stopover, on the road to their future.

In order to implement the Growth Plan, we need to fund it. The proposed half-penny sales tax, on the June 10th ballot, provides the funding needed to make this plan work. It is a tax that will end after 12 years. Strict accountability in handling the funs makes it a very transparent spending process. The public will have a voice in every step of the process of spending the tax proceeds.

We need the Growth Plan, everyone agrees on that. Now, we need to fund it. Cast your vote on June 10 for the half-penny sales tax. It is the right thing to do. Our community will be better for it and our future will be much brighter.

-Scott Kost
Casselton