Economic Sustainability

Of course we have to have funds to support everything that we do. But what should that revenue structure look like?

I believe that our downtown area and our small local businesses should be thriving and that the City can work toward providing the infrastructure like streets and utilities and ambiance that create a space where businesses have a chance to succeed. We also have opportunities to collaborate with local businesses during festivals or other events, when businesses can provide sponsorships, market their businesses or offer specials. When local businesses are successful, they perpetuate other successes as well as bringing revenue to the city.

We also need the larger "economic engines" of our grocery stores and larger retail businesses because they provide the "bread and butter" of our economy and make sure we can pay the bills. Economic conditions are harsh right now but the City is positioning itself to make successul movements even on incremental improvements in the economy. We admittedly have a number of buildings to fill, but also have long term visions that should not be sacrificed for quick fixes.

We also have land that is planned for development that will contribute to our long-term sustainability and our ability to balance the rest of our community with open space and park land as well as appropriate residential development.

We are prepared to prosper as the economy recovers and as always, Lafayette's future is bright.