let's have the State manage Hilo

[kalakoa]

http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/news...es-advance

What's another $1M/year? After all, State does such a great job with Banyan Drive...

[leilanidude]

"According to written testimony provided by HCDA Executive Director Jesse Souki, management of a Hilo district is expected to cost just more than $1 million per year, with initial startup costs of $50,000. The annual costs include $520,000 for the salaries of “4.5” full-time employees, yearly operating costs of $430,000 and $100,000 to operate a satellite HCDA office in the Banyan Drive area."
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Of course the answer is more government employees and another agency.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

“4.5” full-time employees

It would almost be worth the cost just to see that.

No child will ever again doubt they could grow up and someday become president of the United States

[Chunkster]

Bad concept, bad location, bad management framework. Guaranteed fail for everyone . . . unless you're lucky enough to be one of the employees or consultants doing useless studies.

Meanwhile, 15 miles away in Puna lies a large, underutilized workforce, underserved markets, and available affordable land. What's wrong with this picture?

[kalakoa]

nless you're lucky enough to be one of the employees or consultants

Funny, that was actually my first thought: $520K/4.5FTE means they're all getting minimum six-figure salaries and/or a fat pension and awesome medical coverage, that's way more than I make now, where do I sign up?

in Puna lies a large, underutilized workforce, underserved markets, and available affordable land

Yeah, but "those people" are too busy arguing about "their" roads that "they paid for".

[Midnight Rambler]

Figuring in benefits etc., they're probably getting an average of ~$80-90k. And you have to assume one will be in charge (and therefore getting more), so probably three of them will be in the $60k range. Not poor, but not great either. Money doesn't go nearly as far as you think it will.