Dear Businesses and Citizens of Redding,
The Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce is an association of businesses organized to improve the business climate and contribute to the economic health of its membership and the Greater Redding area.
As former Greater Redding Chamber of Commerce Board Chairpersons, who believe in the mission of the Chamber and bringing jobs and opportunity to the greater Redding area, you are well aware of why we are in favor of the City of Redding selling the 14 acres of property for fair market value to the McConnell Foundation so Turtle Bay Exploration Park can build a four-star Sheraton Hotel.
Currently (July 2014), the Redding unemployment rate is 9.0%, which is higher than the California state average of 7.4%. Out of 50 states, California has the 4th highest unemployment rate.
One fundamental benefit of having a four-star Sheraton Hotel in our area is that it will create 40 local construction jobs and 70 local permanent jobs, in addition to supporting 45 jobs at Turtle Bay.
Also, the City of Redding and our local citizens would be the primary beneficiaries of a Sheraton Hotel. The city will receive approximately $700,000 a year in new tax revenues, hotel, property and sales taxes, and this new revenue will help fund vital city services such as public safety, street maintenance, and parks.
A Sheraton Hotel would also result in a positive, sustainable economic impact for our community. Turtle Bay draws thousands of visitors a year, which benefits our local economy. A 4-star hotel, together with the 3-meal restaurant, will spend $5 million each year with local businesses. Turtle Bay spends another $4 million in the area each year.
In light of the above, we ask for your support of this statement:
“We, the past Chairs and current Chair of the Redding Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, are supportive of Measure B on the ballot in November. We support the very much needed 110 jobs that the 4-star hotel and restaurant will bring to our area. We are supportive of the new taxes this will bring our local government, and we are supportive of the $5 million that will be spent by the hotel and restaurant in the Redding area each year. The businesses of the area will benefit, tourism will be stronger, and the residents will have additional amenities once the hotel is built and operating.”
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Tony Jaegel
Scott Putnam
Jeff Avery
Ed Rullman
Donald A. Selke
Gordon Flinn
Gregory L. Balkovek
Pat Corey
Jay Gibson
Patrick Wallner
Roger Janis
David H. Scott
John DiPerry, Retired CEO, MMC Redding
