We are in the final days of the 2024 general election and we (Community for Campbell County) wanted to share with voters why we are voting for the Town of Wright Housing Infrastructure SPET Project.
The Town of Wright is asking voters to approve a $12 million infrastructure project to develop housing for working families. This SPET project will install infrastructure to construct 87 single-family home lots as well as multi-family units. Housing is important to our local economy because we need places for workers and their families to live. Without housing infrastructure and a ready workforce, we cannot attract and grow businesses locally. If approved, once the funds are collected the tax for this project ends.
As proud conservatives, we know the idea of more taxes is frustrating for a lot of people. However, we have to make sure our community is ready and competitive for the jobs and the industries of tomorrow. We have to show businesses that Campbell County and its cities and towns are ready to step up and do our part to continue to make our communities wonderful places to live. Our housing crisis is forcing our children and grandchildren to look for homes and jobs outside of the County because there are so few units to rent or own.
This project is a great example of public–private partnerships. The Town has tried private-sector solutions, but without sewer, water and electric infrastructure, developers have not built homes to meet demand. The proposed Housing Infrastructure Project will fund the infrastructure that will make the land shovel-ready for housing developers. Once the lots are sold, the proceeds will be re-invested back into the community for further infrastructure improvements.
Here are answers to Frequently Asked Questions (from the Town of Wright website):
Q: Why doesn’t the Town of Wright fund this infrastructure through the money it receives from sales and property tax?
A: The Town of Wright only receives between $80,000.00 and $100,000.00 a year in Property Taxes; this project would increase that amount significantly if a developer would build homes on the property. The Sales/Use Tax are used for general operations of the town. The additional 1% tax that is already in effect is used for streets, law enforcement, fire department, etc. The Town of Wright can meet the current operating expenses and maintain the streets with the sales and property tax but there is no excess in the budget for major projects such as this.
Q: Why should the government be involved in housing?
One of the responsibilities of the government is to ensure the citizens’ safety. People want to live in Wright to be close to their work. If no housing is available, they must commute from other communities, which is costly and dangerous. A community must remain viable. A comparison of older small towns in Wyoming and their decline highlights this point. Jobs, housing, and infrastructure must be balanced to remain healthy. A shortage in one area impacts all areas and can lead to population loss, i.e., a dying town.
In most situations, the investment sector recognizes the profit potential and will invest in developing housing. Wright, like other small, more remote areas in Wyoming, has been unable to attract big developers even though numerous attempts have been made over the past fifteen years. By making the land building-ready, individuals and small businesses can afford to invest in Wright.
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