Scientists, Engineers and Technicians (fit in, real estate, employment)

[LauraC]

Got your eye on moving to Tennessee in the future? You might want to follow the progress of this news story about 600 jobs and Bridgestone, 3 years from now.

Bridgestone may move tech center to Tennessee | www.tennessean.com |

[SandyOne]

Frankly, this is disgusting. Bridgestone is trying to extort Ohio into giving them tax concessions by playing that state against Tennessee. If Ohio won't play, Tennesseans get to subsidize Bridgestone. No matter what happens, we the taxpayers lose.

I am sick of these corporations getting a free ride by threatening to move jobs to another state. There needs to be a federal law banning this sort of behavior.

We happen to need new tires for one of our vehicles. Now that I have seen this, I can guarantee we won't be buying any Bridgestones.

[bbkaren]

I don't know anything about the story, that's for sure.

But on the surface, it seems like a company should be permitted to move to wherever it benefits them the most. I can't imagine trying to regulate where a company keeps its facilities...

But like I said, I don't know the whole story; maybe I didn't read it carefully enough.

[SandyOne]

Originally Posted by bbkaren

I don't know anything about the story, that's for sure.

But on the surface, it seems like a company should be permitted to move to wherever it benefits them the most. I can't imagine trying to regulate where a company keeps its facilities...

But like I said, I don't know the whole story; maybe I didn't read it carefully enough.

Nobody said anything about regulating where a company has its facilities. I did say I didn't think they should be able to extort tax concessions out of a state by saying, "If you don't give us a free tax ride, we will go elsewhere and take our jobs with us."

[bbkaren]

Well, I guess I'm dense because it seems to me like that's their prerogative...

Just like some people have a problem with Wal Mart. Where I grew up and to the best of my knowledge, everywhere here in the U.S. a person has the choice to stay at the company they're at, or go somewhere else if it's more to their benefit.

I believe that the company itself should also enjoy this freedom.

Back to the subject, I think it'd be great to add 600+ jobs to the mid-Tennessee area, an area that I never considered, for one reason because it didn't seem like it had a lot of employment opportunity.

But again, this is my just-barely-informed opinion only

[WOWAddict]

Originally Posted by SandyOne

Nobody said anything about regulating where a company has its facilities. I did say I didn't think they should be able to extort tax concessions out of a state by saying, "If you don't give us a free tax ride, we will go elsewhere and take our jobs with us."

I must be dense also.

Thats the free market. No different than you finding a new job and getting the best deal for yourself.

I like seeing a business like Bridgestone do this, than billionaire sports teams getting tax breaks for stadiums.

[SandyOne]

Originally Posted by WOWAddict

I must be dense also.

Thats the free market. No different than you finding a new job and getting the best deal for yourself.

I like seeing a business like Bridgestone do this, than billionaire sports teams getting tax breaks for stadiums.

I don't like either one. In either case, taxpayers are subsidizing businesses.

If I get a new job, it's between me and the employer only. The government doesn't have to give me tax break, and if I asked for one, they would die laughing. If they actually gave me one, people would raise cane.

[Kim918]

I think this would be great for Middle Tennessee. A boost to the economy with good paying positions. It's the type of growth that is healthy for a state. You never want growth to be dependent on just real estate and tourism those are recipes for disaster. I'm sure WOWaddict would agree with me on this.

[WOWAddict]

Originally Posted by SandyOne

I don't like either one. In either case, taxpayers are subsidizing businesses.

If I get a new job, it's between me and the employer only. The government doesn't have to give me tax break, and if I asked for one, they would die laughing. If they actually gave me one, people would raise cane.

True but in this case the taxpayers will get a benefit in the long run. Sure when the company moves not all 600+ jobs will be filled with locals. Most will come from their previous location. But a lot of jobs will be filled with locals that benefits taxpayers. Then there are all the trickle down benefits to not only the city and county but all the local business.

I didnt literally compare you and Bridgestone. Both you and the company are looking out for your own best interest whatever the compensation.

I can see what angers you about the whole issue but I just dont see why your upset by companies, communities doing what is best in their best interest just like you would. Taxes breaks or increases are how governments do business.

[WOWAddict]

Originally Posted by Kim918

I think this would be great for Middle Tennessee. A boost to the economy with good paying positions. It's the type of growth that is healthy for a state. You never want growth to be dependent on just real estate and tourism those are recipes for disaster. I'm sure WOWaddict would agree with me on this.

Completely. Being diversified is a great thing.