01-16-2010, 04:38 PM
A fundamental guiding principle is that locally owned businesses do more for the local economy than do franchises and chains -- more of the money spent at a locally owned business stays in the local economy.
The Puna Community Development Plan does indeed provide some sound bases for improving the local economy.
A core component of PCDP is to focus commercial activities in Town and Village Centers.
Also, the PCDP:
...includes an action item to initiate a Pahoa business incubator district; and prioritizes development of agriculture and renewable energy, including the training of Puna residents in these areas.
Keeping agricultural-zoned land in that zoning keeps the price of farm land lower, thus helping get investment in that land. Physical and information infrastructure for local production, processing, and distribution also helps develop the local food and energy economy. The goal here is to increase the local market share of food and energy products and services.
I would add the creation of tax incentives for locally-owned business start-ups.
Perhaps a tax holiday for new locally-owned business start-ups.
Examination of potential impacts before approving new retail stores can keep the local economy from being over run and drained by new, over size retail developments.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park
The Puna Community Development Plan does indeed provide some sound bases for improving the local economy.
A core component of PCDP is to focus commercial activities in Town and Village Centers.
Also, the PCDP:
...includes an action item to initiate a Pahoa business incubator district; and prioritizes development of agriculture and renewable energy, including the training of Puna residents in these areas.
Keeping agricultural-zoned land in that zoning keeps the price of farm land lower, thus helping get investment in that land. Physical and information infrastructure for local production, processing, and distribution also helps develop the local food and energy economy. The goal here is to increase the local market share of food and energy products and services.
I would add the creation of tax incentives for locally-owned business start-ups.
Perhaps a tax holiday for new locally-owned business start-ups.
Examination of potential impacts before approving new retail stores can keep the local economy from being over run and drained by new, over size retail developments.
James Weatherford, Ph.D.
15-1888 Hialoa
Hawaiian Paradise Park