ARTICLE
A statement by Wendy Gramza, President of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commere: On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Chamber, which represents a cross-section of our local business community, I would like to urge voters to support Issue 2, the City of Toledo’s ¾ percent temporary income tax renewal, when they go to the polls on November 8th. This is not a new tax, nor an increase in the tax you are currently paying. This is a continuation of the current tax, set to expire at the end of this year, which generates $52 million dollars to pay for City services. The Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce is committed to continuing to drive efficiency and effectiveness within the City of Toledo. Earlier this year, the Chamber had opposed increasing the ¾ percent temporary income tax to a 1 percent temporary tax pending a third-party review of the city’s current budget. To help accomplish this, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce committed up to $44,500 toward hiring the Center for Priority Based Budgeting (CPBB) to assist the City in prioritizing resource allocation to the programs and services most important to our businesses and residents. CPBB began working with the City of Toledo on this process in early July, but there is still much to be accomplished, not only to address the current budget situation, but create a plan for future long-term financial stability. Renewing the current three-quarter percent temporary income tax will safeguard the continuation of vital city services while this work continues. There is much to be excited about in our region. ProMedica is making a 60-million dollar investment in downtown. Dana is investing 70-million dollars to expand and improve a new “high-tech” axle manufacturing operation here. Detroit Manufacturing Systems has announced plans for a new plant at the Overland site, which will create 100 new jobs the first year and 300 they're hoping by year two. And it’s not just large employers bringing jobs and investment here. In 2016 the Small Business Development Center at the Chamber helped small local businesses create 503 jobs, retain 1,240 jobs and access 25 million dollars in loans and other capital. Renewal of the City of Toledo’s current ¾ percent temporary income tax is absolutely vital to continuing to attract and retain businesses and residents in our region. With all of the attention on the presidential race this November, it can be easy to forget about the election for county offices, state representatives and senators, judicial seats, and ballot issues. I encourage you to make sure you vote in this election. And when you do, please vote “yes” on Issue 2. Thank you.