Interesting quote from incentives policy committee member Tom Terrell as High Point considers—— get this —– economic incentives for retail businesses, a la Gastonia:
“I firmly believe High Point needs to have some type of retail downtown,” Terrell said. “Gastonia’s an ugly city, but … there are restaurants there. There is some vibrancy in that area.”
Tom Terrell is a respected attorney who is active in Guilford County, so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest he’s comparing High Point to Gastonia, not contrasting.
I can’t say I’ve been to Gastonia, but as I’ve written before, High Point is a city without any visual charm whatsoever. I reckon city leaders should be applauded for trying to restore some charm, but it’s apparent they’re overreaching with economic incentives policy.
