This isn’t from WNC, but a Slim Jim plant near Raleigh will close. In today’s vernacular, this creates an opportunity for government to save or create 230 jobs. The plant once employed 750. Those who are not opportunitied might find work at a ConAgra facility in Ohio.
For some mysterious reason, ConAgra didn’t want to fix the roof after the plant was damaged by an explosion. It couldn’t have anything to do with costs of repairs or bringing the building up to code, or even doing business in the state of North Carolina. Nah! What matters is ConAgra is donating the real estate associated with the Slim Jim plant to the government.
It is, after all, trendy to sell, or give for a tax writeoff, land to the government. People in the private sector don’t have the wherewithal to buy drastically-reduced land anymore. This is somewhat reminiscent of one Moshe Rabbenu from history. He took part in some amazing things to free his people from slavery after they had sold government their money, then their livestock, then their land and themselves. Progressives in government speak an anti-capitalist line, and yet money and capital continue to flow their direction.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Asheville continues to seek partnerships, fees, and taxes in not so many words to continue its greenway program. The absence of a greenway in the ever walkable Montford is not likely interfering with anybody’s commuting. The city would likely forfeit grant moneys by delaying the project, and, as always, “the money is already there.”Well, as announcements of budget overruns continue, it might be helpful not to spend the proposed $615,000 that is already there.
What’s more, Asheville can boast some job creation. The city will give its auditors an additional $13,600, largely for a mandatory review of its handling of ARRA funds.
What private sector?
