Dear Editor,

I am writing in response to the front page photo in last week's Plaindealer of the Family Dollar construction getting underway.  One of the claims made by proponents of the national chain store was that it would create jobs -- not just a few low-paying sales clerk jobs, but more lucrative construction jobs.  And yet, just as opponents warned, all of the construction vehicles at the site are from Utah.  So much for stimulating our local economy.

Furthermore, as for the Jobs Creation myth, studies by independent economists show that big-box stores actually eliminate more jobs than they create.  The reason for the overall decline is that sales gains at these stores are invariably mirrored by a drop in revenue at existing businesses, which then must downsize or close.  Workers lose their jobs.  The job losses are larger than the gains because the national chain store accomplishes the same volume of sales with fewer employees.

Another myth being circulated is that Family Dollar and other large corporate enterprises from outside the community will help grow our economy.  Just the opposite is true.  Researchers from Pennsylvania State University have found that smaller, locally-owned businesses are better for growing incomes in a county than the presence of big box stores owned outside the county.

One of the reasons is that local retailers buy more goods and services from other local businesses. They do their banking at a local bank and hire local accountants.  They turn to a local print shop and advertise in local publications. The chains have almost no need for these local services and spend virtually nothing locally.

Yet another favorite myth is that Family Dollar will boost tax revenue.  But studies show that the tax benefits of big-box stores are negated by declining tax revenue from existing businesses.  As local businesses lose sales to national chains, they go out of business and leave property vacant.  Property value declines and with it, the property-tax revenue.  Sales-tax revenue also falls.  One study of 116 cities in California found that, in all but two cases, the presence of a big-box store did not correspond to increased sales-tax revenue.

More than 800 people who wish to preserve Ridgway's character and promote a vibrant local economy have signed a petition asking Family Dollar not to build here.  But with the recent ground-breaking, the corporate giant has obviously ignored our pleas.  At this point, we can't stop Family Dollar from building here, but we do hold all the cards as to their success or failure.  We can vote for our community with our pocketbooks -- and boycott the Ridgway Family Dollar.

In addition, we can look to the future and pass ordinances and commercial design codes that promote the local economy and preserve Ridgway's unique character, which attracts tourists and is cherished by locals.  Once that is gone, we can never get it back.

Sincerely,

Linda Hoeksema

Log Hill Mesa