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Butler Defends County’s Economic Development Efforts

July 17th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

Lashing out at what he called “armchair”  experts-  Allegany County Administrator Brandon Butler took the last five minutes of the county commissioners meeting to defend the county’s economic development efforts- while bashing  the media and those on social media for their constant negativity. Butler says while great progress is being made in attempting to attract businesses and jobs to the area- much of it can’t be announced because of the sensitive nature of such deals. He went on to say that the media, and in particular, social media has advanced a false narrative that nothing is being done in the area of economic development…

13 Responses to “Butler Defends County’s Economic Development Efforts”

  1. July 17, 2019 at 5:24 am, mac said:

    The argument isn’t that nothing is being done BUT it is more correctly that nothing has been done.

    Reply

  2. July 17, 2019 at 7:59 am, David said:

    I can understand both sides of this discussion. It seems on the surface that absolutely nothing is happening. We hear from Commissioner Shade’s own mouth that he is frustrated with Economic Development. But no one shows up at meetings. The only thing you see on social media is complaining and whining, but no one is stepping up to either speak or work. Time to pick a side and get off social media people. Do you want our area to grow, expand and develop or do you want it to stagnate and falter and fail? You live here.

    Reply

    • July 17, 2019 at 8:27 am, mac said:

      > I can only guess what sensitive negotiations are in the works. Another chain restaurant or a boutique hotel.
      My argument is that retail is not meaningful economic development. In order to grow an economy in this area meaningful well paid work is needed not more minimum wage, no health care benefits, burger flipping jobs. People may be employed for 28 hours per week but they can’t purchase homes and build up the area through property taxes or any meaningful buying power.
      Franchise owners benefit and then bemoan the possibility of raising the minimum wage.
      Those workers let go from the mill aren’t looking forward to putting in an application at whatever chain restaurant may possibly open, one of these days, at the future Rolling Mills development. They want to work, WORK to support a home and family. They can’t do that in retail work.

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      • July 17, 2019 at 8:54 am, mac said:

        > Oh, by the way, sorry if you consider that whining.

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      • July 17, 2019 at 9:22 am, kevin said:

        > Exactly right – Rolling Mill spent 5.5 million to attract low paying chains – sort of a LaVale lite plan. The issue with economic development has always been “Let’s think small,” and, “Careful we don’t want high wage earner here – they might unionize.” I respect that Butler really is doing the best he can with what he has to work with, but our elected people want it two ways – big returns with no effort or investment. The vote on 911 system was a case in point. Shade did not vote because state of the art costs more, but did not want to be on record to stop it and can take credit when it works.

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        • July 17, 2019 at 10:04 am, me said:

          > Rolling Mill is not County economic development

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    • July 17, 2019 at 2:22 pm, Jay said:

      Stagnate and falter? David, we have been in economic decline for going on 4 decades. We are just about the poorest municipality in MD. The school system has lost 4-5K students over the last 20 years. We used to have 8 high schools, albeit some were very small. Now we have 3 and realistically we should have 2. We just lost one of the biggest employers and tax payers in the county (Luke Mill). It’s easy to identify problems, much harder to find solutions but I’ve just never seen a long range plan by our politicians. No activity at Canal Place 355 out of 365 days a year. Most nights the downtown mall is like a ghost town. Why would Admistrator Butler pay any attention to social media? And Brian is right – why are places like Winchester, Altoona, Morgantown, and Hagerstown progressing and moving forward while C-Land continues to go down the tubes? That’s the question Butler should be asking.

      Reply

  3. July 17, 2019 at 12:51 pm, Brian said:

    What is the reason the companies are still building plants in Winchester and Martinsburg and Hagerstown and not here they cannot get enough employees for their new factories we have an excess amount of people to be employed something is wrong with this area why can’t somebody find out why these plants will build 60 miles away in almost any direction but not here

    Reply

    • July 17, 2019 at 1:16 pm, mac said:

      > I’m sorry but that sounds like whining to me. Every word is true but the County people responsible won’t see it that way.

      Reply

  4. July 17, 2019 at 1:17 pm, David said:

    Not saying that all complaints aren’t justified. It does get wearisome hearing them all the time and never seeing anyone new at the meetings. Standing up and speaking or sharing these ideas outside the Internet.

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    • July 17, 2019 at 1:36 pm, mac said:

      > David, attending the meetings is no different than posting here. We state our ideas and, possibly, those individuals concerned may read them. Just like attending the meetings that the individuals concerned may listen. They have an agenda in place and no average individual off the street is going to change any minds if they don’t want them changed. Attending the meetings,in my mind, is a waste of time. It’s like getting up, shaking your fist and ranting about fluoride in the water.

      Reply

  5. July 17, 2019 at 1:29 pm, Richard said:

    no good , respectful employers are coming here because the taxes on them are too high . Bay liner , the boat factory i worked at HAD to leave , because of the local government taxes .

    Reply

  6. July 17, 2019 at 1:33 pm, Richard said:

    BayLiner boat manufacturing company was a GOOD place to work . benefits , retirement package , 401-k , left because of tax increases .

    Reply

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