st. paul

? What does that mean?

Isn't it interesting that someone in the city office is already frothing at the mouth over the potential property tax revenue. Too bad the numbers don't seem to work out. What a shame for all involved.

Just a guess of mine, but Ford changed the closing date from 2008 to 2011 to continue Ranger production as it is the only relatively fuel efficient truck they make in the USA. If they close the St Paul plant, where are they going to assemble the Ranger or its successor? The plant is set up to make separate body on frame vehicles. They also have a cheap source of energy. If I recall correctly, there is an import duty of 25% on trucks made outside of North America (Mexico & Canada). It is possible economics may favor keeping the St Paul plant open.

checked, the property is still owned by Ford. The city is trying take it over for their gain to increase the tax base. Here is a thought, just turn it into a city park on the river.

If the city wants more property taxes let the state cut their state aid to local governments, then the city will have the excuse to raise taxes. Of course, they will be held accountable to the voters.........

by either (1) convincing Ford to keep the plant open and making small pickups as WmToensing suggests above or (2) converting the plant to production of a product that helps America's conversion from oil/gas/coal to renewable sources of energy. Solar panels, for instance. A group of academic researchers recently announced their development of solar panels that would store energy the same way plants do while the sun shines for use at night or on cloudy days.

Retool the plant to mass produce inexpensive NEVs like the Zenn car. They will be the Model T of the 21st Century.

Create a large, integrated commercial, residential, office development with a spur off the Hiawatha line. And instead of using TIFF to draw in large corporations and national chains, use the tax money you'd give away to create a tax structure that benefits the small businesses rooted in our communities that are the real economic engine of our country.

All these ideas are far too original.Just so we're not disappointed, let's just slap up a couple condo buildings, a strip mall, a couple chain-style eateries and a giant parking lot and call it a day.

And they need the leamings to buy into that concept. Keeping that as an Industrial tax generator would most certainly increase the tax coffers. Only a simpleton would believe otherwise. Having a few thousand jobs right in St. Paul might be viewed by a few as advantagous, (DUH) as far as I am concerned the City leaders have completely lost sight of this concept. Anyway, you know Dave Thune doesn't care about jobs, he shut down the ethanol plant even thought they were coming around in their efforts to eliminate the smell, but the taxpayers should be screaming to keep this as a plant of some kind. The New Flyer Bus Company in St. Cloud comes to mind. Look the world over, someone will be interested. Just don't be a bobblehead when someone says it should be a park or some condos with a coffee shop and a dry cleaner.