Time has again run out on a Golden LEAF Foundation grant for Rockingham County’s $22 million taxpayer-supported horse park. The county’s asking for another extension and wondering maybe they can use it to help run a sewer line for Reidsville. What a concept.
Note the comment from a horse park supporter:
Lee Carter, who lives in Greensboro and owns a farm in Rockingham County, remains a supporter of the project. He is the current president of Horse Park of the South Inc., a group of local business leaders and other volunteers who want to see the project become a reality. Carter, who has served on numerous boards in Greensboro, said the horse park is still a viable economic development idea, but it will need a show of support from county officials if fundraising efforts are going to be successful.
“We need to do a better job of communicating we are not trying to raise taxes,” Carter said. “But we also need the full backing of the county commissioners.”
I’ll give Mr. Carter the benefit of the doubt and assume that he genuinely isn’t trying to raise people’s taxes. But when government funds amenities like horse parks with promises of significant ‘economic impact,’ it just sort of happens.
