WREX TV Rockford, Illinois
ROCKFORD -- We all like to save money and that's exactly what this next announcement is going to help some of us do. Thanks to the Chicago Rockford International Airport watching every nickel and dime, property owners will be able to keep more of that spare change in their pockets.
Administrators didn't expect to be debt free this soon. But now that RFD paid down its debt, we will see the part of our property tax that goes to the airport drop by 62%. It doesn't happen very often, but the airport is actually going give us money. RFD Executive Director Bob O'Brien says, "They're not going to retain that money and carry it over. They are gonna give it back to the rightful owner, the taxpayer."
Three years ago we were asked to chip in more than just taxes. The airport started a campaign to raise $250,000. O'Brien says being debt free just proves they meant what they said. "We want to move towards financial independence where users pay for the facility. In the long run this could bring economic wealth to the community."
That contribution to the community is a goal of the airports. The Chicago Rockford International Airport pumps in about $719,000 to the community. That's the 2nd largest in the state next to O'Hare. The goal is to have a $1 million economic impact.
WRRB/Telegram District City Council Forum 10/18
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This forum is for all district council candidates; all candidates are here
today. Format: 14 total questions, 4 questions across districts (for all
candida...
6 months ago
1 comment:
Is that all the airport has pumped into the city of Rockford? 719,000 dollars? The Rockford airport Authority has received approximately 1 million dollars in FREE Industrial buildings and Hangars through Unfriendly business practices. The airport authority waits for the land lease agreement between the owner and Airport, to run out. If the owner forgets to renew ahead of time before the lease is up the airport simply takes over the building. Some businesses Close. Some move away. Employees lose jobs. The improvements are the very buildings that people have built, "bought and paid for" which are located on Airport property. Patriotic Americans, once proud to do business in Rockford. The businesses Lease the land from the Airport, pay all the property taxes, maintain the grounds, And,once, Employed hundreds of workers in Rockford. All the Greater Rockford Airport Authority board has to do is to Simply notify the owner of the building that the land lease needs to be renewed. Send certified mail,stop in and visit the tenant with a friendly reminder. However, I have learned the board feels it is in the better interest of the airport that it own all the buildings on airport property. Rockford will not Set any Standards by continuing with business practices such as these.
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