[Nfbf-l] Moving Hillsborough forward - As it appeared in the Tampa Tribune August 8, 2010

[Dan Hicks]

Moving Hillsborough forward

By Lou Prida Jr.

 

Special To The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 8, 2010

 

 

Residents of Hillsborough County will make a critical decision for our
community this November.

 

Born and raised in Tampa, and having spent my life providing services to the
community as a CPA, banker and developer, I can say with confidence that the
decision to implement a one-cent sales tax for transportation must be made
in the affirmative.

 

Hillsborough has the opportunity to establish the framework for investment
in a project that will drive economic growth for many years. Up and down the
socio-economic ladder, all citizens of our community will benefit from the
implementation and execution of the plan for expanded bus service, light
rail, improved roads, bike lanes and pedestrian walkways.

 

The current unemployment and real estate market in Hillsborough are dismal.
It may take many years before it rebounds to resemble the times of
prosperity again. No one likes taxes, but we must look past labels and
understand reality.

 

A one-cent sales tax is an investment each of us will make in our community
that will be returned many times over.

 

The returns will be in the following benefits:

 

.Creating tens of thousands of jobs between 2011 and 2035 through direct and
indirect effects of this program.

 

.Creating related economic benefits - including the development of offices,
residential facilities, cultural centers, entertainment and retail in and
around transit corridors, redeveloping already impacted and currently
outdated and unattractive areas, and injecting much-needed dollars into our
economies.

 

.Regaining competitive ground in retaining and attracting businesses and
talent.

 

.Giving our young people a viable option to stay in Tampa Bay rather than
seek their fortunes in other more progressive communities that see the value
of transportation options.

 

.Creating modern, transit-oriented communities and quality places, affording
new options for citizens concerning how and where they wish to live.

 

.Conserving land, green spaces, water, air and fuel.

 

.Providing independence to seniors, handicapped persons and tens of
thousands of workers who would embrace the option of a significantly
improved transportation system over sole reliance on cars.

 

One of the biggest payoffs is the tie-in with high-speed rail between Tampa
and Orlando. In essence, the long-term benefits of this will be a merging of
the Tampa and Orlando business communities, creating an economic powerhouse
that will be one of the largest in the world.

 

Using the sales tax system to make this investment is smart. About 17
percent to 20 percent of the contributors will be from outside this area.
The sales taxes will be paid by tourists, visiting business people and
conventioneers.

 

Imagine the bump we will get as a community in 2012 when the Republican
National Convention comes to Tampa.

 

And this is exactly the type of project that only a government entity can
execute.

 

One of the roles of government is to set the table for its citizens to
prosper. The profile of this type of project is very broad and
community-oriented. Government must take the lead.

 

And we must follow. This is a significant opportunity for about $12 per
month for a family of four, so all of us who call Hillsborough County home
can do something for ourselves and for our community to prosper for
generations to come.

 

Lou Prida Jr. is managing shareholder of Prida Guida & Company, P.A., a
downtown Tampa association of certified public accountants established in
1957. 

 

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/aug/08/co-moving-hillsborough-forward/news-
opinion-commentary/