Fayetteville - Good for Small Business?

[nmnita]

Kathy,

I can't argue with you on some of your thoughts, but can on the taxes. Of course there is a state income tax, but what about the property tax? When we lived in Lewisville, Tx, our home value was around $130.00, we had a zero lot line and just the basic house. Our taxes were 2400 per year; our daughter lives in a relatively upscale neighborhood near Lewisville, but certainly not that expensive: taxes around $6000 or a little more. That's a whole lot of state income tax......No matter where you live the taxes are going to get you.

Nita

[Stormcrow73]

Originally Posted by kathrynmham

Hi Lisa:
My husband worked as a Director of a Manufacturing Company in Fayetteville and he was continually frustrated by the city and how impossible it was to move forward on an expansion project they were trying to do.

Fayetteville's mindset is that manufacturing is a low priority compared to knowledge based industry. I think it's a good mindset for that city in particular. Yes they will balk at a LOT of stuff but that's why it's on a very short list of cities in Arkansas in which I'd live (BTW there are more smaller towns on my list than "cities" but I guess the demographics would tend to skew towards that anyway, lol) You can definitely get the best of both by locating your business in one of the bedroom communities where you'll get that good welcome and living in Fayetteville. Broken Arrow or Wichita??? Fayetteville has those beat in BIG TIME!!!

[boulder]

Originally Posted by aaauger

We build mausoleums, mainly work with metal and stone, no hazardous processes, evolving into line work. We need a large warehouse, 3 phase power. We've always trained unskilled labor, look for aptitude, attitude and longevity. Even with good wages, that's hard to find in Austin - not sure exactly why. We're looking for a community that values residence and commerce equally. What we offer in return is a stable and growing source of employment and tax contribution.

Mausoleums - wow, that's a unique business ... and based on your description and needs I believe Fayetteville would make a good home for your business.

South Fayetteville has a mix of industrial / commercial real estate and may be an area you would want to look at. As far as labor in the area - NWA has recently experienced a large drop in residential and commercial construction so I would think skilled labor in woodwork, metal and masonary would be available and reliable.

[aaauger]

It helps to have the comparison with Austin - which seems to have the view than manufacturing businesses are less valuable to the economy (not true) and aim to pollute (also not true). We'd consider moving to a community outside Austin but aren't finding that "country" feel. For one, the nature is missing. And many of the towns feel like extensions of Austin (i.e. not true communities). So I think posters have given us good guidance to explore towns around Fayetteville.