OpEd: NBEDZ Blows $6.5 million on Miracle City Mall Bailout
OpEd by
Scott Ellis,
Brevard County Clerk of Court
Corporate
welfare continues to run amok in Brevard County as the North Brevard
Economic Development Zone, soon a $3 million annual County slush fund,
moves to ‘grant’ a potential buyer of the Miracle City Mall $6.5 million
in free site improvements. Like the Sarno landfill, buy in the morning,
get another $6 million that afternoon.
The
NBEDZ was created solely to distribute millions of dollars annually in
North Brevard to favored interests. A $100,000 a year Director was
immediately hired to oversee the largesse.
It
is ironic County Management and County Commissioners bemoan the lack of
funds for capital repair and replacement, but we have $6.5 million for a
new mall buyer, $2 million to landscape SR 520, $1.4 million for EDC,
about $5 million for other redevelopment districts, and millions here
and there for economic ‘incentives’.
Brevard
County is running its own version of TARP and Stimulus, leaving
critical infrastructure in shambles in the scramble to throw out
millions in bailout dollars.
The
Miracle City Mall’s last joke may fall on Titusville. Titusville will
borrow $6.5 million and the NBEDZ will reimburse bond payments. Should
three Commissioners later vote to abolish the NBEDZ, Titusville will
rightfully find itself holding the tab for its free money.
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