VOTE YES for ½ cent (½ of 1%) sales tax for ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT...Let's GROW!

Your VOTE helps our community by supporting local and strategic economic development efforts.  

• We all benefit from economic development. The healthier our county economy, the more jobs, and the more jobs the more money the county has because of tax revenue. Paid taxes go to support all local government and services including roads, bridges, utilities, trash removal, schools, ambulance, fire, police, library, and healthcare – improving EVERYONE'S quality of life. 

• Economic development multiplies dollars. 
  • If 100 new jobs come into the county, 60 more new jobs are needed to support that growth. The more new jobs…the more new jobs. 
  • Every $1 spent in the county circulates 4 times, contributing to overall wealth for our small businesses.
  • New development or improved buildings add to both real and personal property tax revenue, contributing major dollars to the overall tax base.

• Grants are highly competitive. 
• Grants are not “free.”  In fact, grants are expensive.  Sales tax revenue provides a way for us to meet match money requirements of large, meaningful grants for infrastructure.  (ex. $800K for Natural gas upgrades/expansion which provides service to businesses like Georgian Gardens and Red Wing, two of our largest employers.)
• The IDA is in an aggressive competitive market and competes with adjacent counties for business attraction AND retention.
• The IDA represents Washington County regionally and works to keep up with business attraction trends, legislation, incentives, and resources.
• Washington County tax rates are low, and will remain low, in comparison to our surrounding counties and cities.  (SEE AREA SALES TAX)

Our Commitment

• We are committed to transparency and productive leadership.
• The IDA Board is appointed by the County Commission and held to high standards of accountability.  
• The IDA orders an annual audit and reports any negative findings to the County Commission. 
• IDA regular monthly meeting announcements are posted in accordance with the Missouri Sunshine Laws.
• Meeting minutes are now posted online. 
• The IDA Strategic Plan is available online.
• The IDA Economic Development Policy is available online.
• Press releases for all significant events are submitted to the Independent Journal for publication.
• The Consulting Director is available to present the current objectives and strategies to any organization upon request.
• The Consulting Director is available for consultations to assist community members with economic development concerns and to provide community and business leaders with current incentives and strategies to support economic development efforts. 
• The IDA is committed to playing an active role in collaboration with like-minded organizations throughout the county to promote progress and prosperity for all!