Apple Move to Mesa Arizona Stalled By Gilbert Arizona Public Schools
On November 4, 2013, The City of Mesa confirmed, after weeks of speculation, that Apple will be coming to Arizona and that they have chosen Mesa for their newest manufacturing facility.
Apple's presence is expected to create approximately 2,000 jobs in the area. Apple is also working with Salt River Project (SRP), Arizona's largest electric supplier, to eventually use 100 percent renewable energy, greening the grid and allowing for the utility to invest in entirely new renewable energy projects.
The proposed move has the blessings of many of the government entities involved in the incentive approval to make the Apple move a reality:
- Maricopa County
- Mesa Community College
- Maricopa County Community Colleges
- Central Arizona Project
- Maricopa County Integrated Health Systems
- East Valley Institute of Technology
- City of Mesa
BUT there is one entity involved that has not approved the incentive: Gilbert Public Schools !!!???
Basically, the incentive involves Apple receiving a 14.5% lower taxation rate on a property now valued at $79 million, which Apple plans to improve to a $1 billion property.
So rather than receiving taxes at 19.5% on $79 million ($15,405,000); the government entities will only receive 5% on $1 billion ($50,000,000) !!!!
Gilbert Public Schools will have their board meeting Monday, November 18, 7 p.m. Board Members Lily Tram and Jill Humphreys have agreed to a 'Yes' vote on the approval of the letter of no objection.
Board Members Daryl Colvin and Julie Smith - who both, by the way, are supposedly Republican Party Precinct leaders in Gilbert; are both against the approval.
Interestingly enough, Colvin and Smith, evidently have forgotten their commitment to the Republican Party Platform which includes: Restoring the American Dream: Rebuilding the Economy and Creating Jobs. The two contend that it's unfair for Apple to receive the incentive while other entrepreneurs do not.
Board President Staci Burk has not committed one way or the other, not until Monday.
Hopefully the whole GPS board will vote to approve the letter of no objection to the Apple move to Mesa.
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