Celgard: Ward of the Corporate Welfare State

The windfall of cash and tax incentives for Celgard, LLC continued this past Monday night as the Cabarrus County Commission voted (4 - 1) to grant the global company some very "generous" corporate welfare. Celgard will receive a cash payout of $350,000 and will be eligible to receive a rebate of 85% of their ad valorem taxes for a total of 12 years (a series of three [4 year] grants).

Obama and the Department of Energy pulled $49 million out of thin air on behalf of Celgard...

The State of NC coughed up $995,000 in cash with a tax grant the could be worth $4.6 million...

The City of Concord awarded over $1 million of tax incentives...

I wonder how much US taxpayer money will go towards the expansion of Celgard's South Korea plant?

LPNC Census Resolution

The Libertarian Party of NC passed the following resolution at it's annual convention this past weekend. I wholeheartedly endorse this resolution....

Whereas question 1 on the 2010 U.S. Census — number of persons living at the address — is the only question needed to serve the constitutionality-stated purposes of the census of apportioning federal, representation and direct taxes;

Whereas the LPNC supports limiting government having no more power than constitutionally stated, therefore;

The LPNC encourages all recipients of the 2010 U.S. Census to refuse to answer questions 2-10.

Adopted in Convention, April 11, 2010 Burlington, NC

Joint Resolution Against Celgard Tax Incentives

The Libertarian Party of Cabarrus County joins the Cabarrus Campaign For Liberty in opposition to the proposed economic development grant to benefit Celgard, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Polypore
International, Inc.

The county commission will entertain a proposal to extend three 4 year grants of 85% of the ad valorem taxes and an upfront payment of $350,000 to offset land prices.*

In response to the proposed grant, LP Cabarrus Chair Thomas Hill said, "Free enterprise should succeed or fail based on it's own merits. Extending governmental privileges to certain companies at the expense of others reeks of corporate fascism."

When asked of the proper role of government in the economy, Hill explained, "Government should protect free enterprise from force and fraud instead of distorting the market with corporate welfare schemes. Reducing regulations and property tax rates will encourage businesses to invest in the county."

Cabarrus Campaign For Liberty Coordinator Lloyd Morris believes the tax incentives should be taken off the table. "Celgard has already decided to locate here. The county already has the assets and quality of life that attracts business investment."

Morris also worries about treating all county businesses equally. "We should not offer Celgard anything we are not willing to share with every other business in this county. We should all be equal before the law."

The members of both organizations support and applaud the efforts of pro business advocates in the county. Our only objection is the tactic of using tax money and tax incentives to benefit certain corporations. We support free markets and the prosperity they provide.

In Liberty,

Thomas Hill
Chair, Libertarian Party of Cabarrus County

Lloyd Morris
Cabarrus Campaign For Liberty Coordinator

* taken from County Commission agenda for April 19th meeting. (pages 120, 121 and 122)