On January 9th ‘strongtowns.org’ will host a curbside chat in Lower Macungie. The strongtowns message focuses on new strategies for the economic realities that face our communities.
Strongtowns compares ‘growth as the magic bullet’ policy to a ponzi scheme. This occurs when municipalities swap near term cash advantage for long term financial obligations. Stop and think about it for a second. We have officials who publicly support the Jaindl development by claiming we “need the taxbase”. Same can be said for Hamilton Crossings or the Allen Organ supermarket/apartment project. Ask yourself one simple question, after two decades of supercharged growth how can we possibly still need more taxbase. When does it end? Does it ever end?
As we approach total build out how do we begin to position ourselves for long term resiliency? What happens when there are no more greenfields and the developers have moved on to the next ‘green pasture’ and the long term infrastructure obligations must be maintained or replaced by township taxdollars. What happens when we need another fire station, a police dept, upgraded stormwater systems or a new High School? How do we continue to pay for all this without a massive tax increase?
Thats the core issue strongtowns focuses on.They support growing in a fiscally sustainable fashion where projects are reviewed from a lifecycle cost benefit and quality of life analysis. They advocate for analyzing the status quo not blindly doubling down on it. Strategy that leads to financial sustainability not policy that relies on perpetual growth.
I hope to see you at this presentation. It’s certainly very thought provoking and relevant to the issues we as a community face now and moving forward.
Strongtowns.org presents a ‘curbside chat’
Date: January 9thWhere: Lower Macungie Township Building
3400 Brookside RoadTime: 8:00-9:30 AM