Kayy, I always hear these rumors and they could be true.
I think industrial development would be the best asset for Granite City as Granite Citians are very willing to travel for their retail offerings.
But maybe the retail offerings would convince a few people who would otherwise move out to stay, we'll see.
Industrial development provides tax-paying jobs that far outweigh the retail jobs.
But all development that's reasonable is good development. No complaints from me. I would love to see a Kohl's in Granite City.
I kind of would rather see a Trader Joes or an offering healthier than a Golden Corral...but if I were to pass the fried chicken, the burgers, the pasta, pork, pizza, fried fish...
I can eat healthy there too.
Actually I talk more about healthy eating than doing it sometimes...I admit it.
Anyway. That's where my Anti-Wal-Mart stance has changed over time. While I will try never to shop there, they do tend to attract development.
Unfortunately, it's at the expense of locally owned downtown shopping districts, but sometimes for the survival of the region, we have to succumb, just a little bit to a new way of doing business.
I mean it's not just brick and mortar stores...but I-tunes and amazon are part of the new way of doing business.
How the region can embrace this, we will see.
Granite City is trying hard and if people complain of slow results...you have to understand.. nobody in our history, or at least not in my lived experience of Granite City has invested so much effort in redevelopment and been agressive in attracting business.
My only observation is that while bringing back retail development is essential....we can't forget about opportunities to attract industry and trade. Our location is a good one with water, rail, and road. We don't have air transport, but proximity is a key.
We may not get a Nieman Marcus or even a Dierbergs...but what is better for a tax base...frilly stores, or putting back an idle plant or warehouse?
on August 11, 2011, 10:57 am, in reply to "