Today, Hillsborough County Commissioners approved measures that would provide financial incentives amounting to $225,000 to Amazon in order to lure the retail giant to build a 1-million-square-foot warehouse in Ruskin. The warehouse would employ at least 1,000 people, including 375 higher-wage jobs expected to draw average salaries of $47,581.
Next month the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners will vote on a second part of the deal that would grant Amazon a 50 percent break on annual property tax payments for its first seven years.
"This is a grand slam for Hillsborough County," said Commission chair Ken Hagan, who attributed tax incentives as a major reason to why Texas leads the nation in jobs and Louisiana has been doing so well with film productions.
Other commissioners were similarly ecstatic.
Sandy Murman called the deal "our hurricane.""The feeder bans that will come off of this are unbelievable," she added, and then quoting Mayor Bob Buckhorn she said, "This is our time, and we are going to be number one!"
Kevin Beckner said he's been a sharp critic about whether tax incentives have worked — such as in the case of Bass Pro Shops — in the past, but his concerns have been alleviated. He said Amazon is a good corporate citizen, citing the company's emphasis on hiring veterans and providing Kindles to kids who are in certain education programs.
Commissioner Victor Crist said he saw no downside to the proposal, and it's a "beautiful deal for Hillsborough County," in particular South County. He also said it is a winner for all Florida citizens because the corporation's entry into the Sunshine State means Floridians will have to pay local sales taxes for CD's, DVD's, books and other items they purchase on Amazon.com, something that delights local business owners who feel that has given the online retailer an unfair advantage when it comes to pricing.
Commissioner Hagan's said they couldn't have wooed Amazon without the tax incentives. A story in the Tampa Bay Times revealed that the corporation is looking to expand its facilities into different states, and needs Florida as much as Hillsborough County wants them.