An Updated Look

While some smaller towns must invest money in their area to create a place where developers might be interested, others have found a different path. If an area has seen most of the young people move away for better jobs elsewhere, the tax base might not be enough to keep everything running smoothly. Some of these towns have local authorities eager to make a difference, and they are willing to go far and wide to find a developer willing to invest in their area. It might take some sharp negotiation, but convincing a company to build and revitalize a small town can be done.

Roads are often the first item on the agenda when it comes to repairs and revitalization. A small town may be able to do only temporary repairs, but their oldest roads may need more than just a patch. Rather than refusing development, authorities in some areas have taken the time to research good development companies to help their traffic issues. They may propose a project, but the negotiations will include road repair or even building new roads for the project to go forward.

Parks and buildings owned by the community are often older structures, and repairs can be expensive. Inviting a development company in often means giving them tax breaks, but savvy negotiators can find ways to make the project helpful for the town. They may forgive part of the taxes owed for a few years, but they could negotiate for the development company to repair their buildings at cost. It could save the taxpayers already in town money, and it will help lower the cost of operating the local government until the tax base grows over the next few years.

Developers are often seen as bursting into an area where they are not welcome, but there are times when they have been sought out by local governments. The need to get people to return to an area can be desperate as the tax base shrinks.