 "There is nothing automatic about
the emergence of this advanced technology transportation and distribution
cluster in the Triad. The FedEx projects (sic) makes it possible, but, in
and of itself, is no guarantee of economic prosperity." (Pg. 5; RTS
report)
In Louisville, KY, the economic impact has
been the destruction of thousands of homes and disrupted lives; An entire
town was picked up and moved - at taxpayer expense - as part of the legal
settlements when the "noise contours" turned out to be greatly underestimated.
The "economic impact" in that area will soon surpass one Billion Dollars
- Taxpayer Dollars.
 
Fact?
"Not just in job creation at the hub itself, but in the construction of the
runway and the FedEx facility. Existing time-sensitive businesses such as
biotech, high tech communications, and pharmaceutical companies, as well
as medical research facilities may also realize significant growth as a result
of the hub locating here. The calling card that FedEx has proven to play
in luring business to an area is an incredible opportunity for the region,
and it all comes with a minimal investment of local tax dollars."
- quoted from
www.hubfacts.com
"The advanced technology, high value-adding
companies likely to be attracted to a transportation and distribution cluster
in the Triad are the very companies most likely to be influenced positively
by smart growth strategies that avoid congestion, prevent sprawl,
and protect the environment."(Pg. 5; RTS report)
USA Today has rated Greensboro as the third
worst city in the nation for sprawl
- find the article
here & click on "show me the 25 worst
sites."
The statement above from www.hubfacts.com claims that
"FedEx has proven to play in luring businesses to an area" is a false statement.
"In Indianapolis, it would appear that cargo shipment capacity has not yet
emerged as an important location factor in attracting new industry to this
area." Source: DEIS, Appendix E, Page 4-15.
"IN OUR EXPERIENCE, NO FIRM LOCATES ANYWHERE
OR GROWS ANYWHERE, BECAUSE OF ONLY ONE FACTOR." (Pg. 81; RTS
report)
So, What Are The True Facts?
"Unemployment in the area has jumped from near 2% at the beginning of 2000
to near 3.5% in 15 months. In 2000, our area witnessed the loss of 7,000
jobs, and there is nothing in the immediate to long-term view showing how
jobs will be replaced, other than
FedEx."- quoted
from www.hubfacts.com
Unemployment in our area has gone up, however
unemployment has also gone up across the entire nation. Many areas are showing
unemployment rates double or more than ours. What www.hubfacts.com neglects
to say is that while they claim 7,000 jobs have been lost, the number of
people employed in our area has actually increased, according to the
Bureau
of Labor Statistics - read: more jobs have been created than lost. In
fact, the only sector that has seen a decrease for the last twelve month
period is manufacturing, which is decreasing country wide. All other sectors
showed an increase in number of people employed in our area. Their claims
are nothing more than a scare tactic used to promote the hub.
"The $300 million FedEx facility and its contents will be funded
by FedEx, and the estimated $200 million runway construction will be funded
by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Trust Fund, the Piedmont Triad
International Airport (PTIA), and the North Carolina Department of Transportation
(NCDOT). This estimated $500 million economic impact is in addition to the
jobs FedEx will create, and any new business investments the region may realize
as a result of the
hub."- quoted from
www.hubfacts.com
The hub will not be owned by FedEx, but owned
by the airport itself. FedEx will only sign a 20-year lease. Much of the
money for construction will come from Guilford County Bonds.
"FedEx is exempted from adhering to low-bid contracting requirements, thus
ensuring that the company will be able to purchase specialized computer and
sorting equipment from its own out-of-state vendors." (Pg. 47; RTS report)
"Over ten years, we expect that $43 million dollars will be spent on purchasing
materials handling and ground support equipment from non-local vendors."
(Pg. 60; RTS report) - in other words, spent elsewhere and not in our local
area.
It is virtually certain that the lease will contain a clause to allow FedEx
to just "walk away" from the lease with minimal cost to FedEx should they
decide to leave.
"The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) being conducted by
the FAA will dictate if the noise, air and water pollution that may result
after the construction of the hub is acceptable or not. If the statement,
which is slated to be released in mid-May, shows the environment will be
too adversely affected by the hub's creation, the project will be abandoned."
- quoted from
www.hubfacts.com
The results of the EIS will only dictate if
the airport qualifies for any federal funds for this project, not if it will
go forward or not. Our commissioners have only to pass a bonds referendum
to obtain the money (at taxpayer expense) should federal funds not be
available.
Forward Guilford Economic Development Partnership
consists of people who deal mostly in Real Estate and construction. Their
main priority is to make money. They are the people who will make millions
from this, and mostly at taxpayer expense.
Members of the Greensboro Area Chamber of Commerce also have personal vested
interests in this project. They too will make millions of dollars from the
construction of the FedEx hub. They claim to present the facts and information
regarding the FedEx hub and its impact on jobs, growth, taxes, and the
environment yet their website ignore the negatives that the opponents have
brought out. They have embarked upon a campaign of misinformation to distract
the local population from the true facts, and by doing so, have violated
the standards and requirements of their jobs.
What can I do to
help? Click here.
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