EDITORIAL FROM COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Editorial for the Ripon Commonwealth:

I feel I need to respond to Ripon Mayor Aaron Kramer’s letter in last week’s Ripon Commonwealth. He stated that I did not help when Ripon businesses were considering a move to another state. Although I was briefed by the FCEDC, I must also say that neither the mayor nor anyone else from Ripon asked for my assistance. Whereas the City Manager of Fond du Lac did ask whether I could help to keep Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac. I do not understand Mayor Kramer’s assertion that none of the sales tax to be used to capitalize the County Revolving Loan Fund would go to Ripon businesses, considering that the Revolving Loan Fund was first created to assist Alliance Laundry, Ripon’s largest business. Since that time the Fond du Lac County Economic Development Corporation has helped Ripon businesses receive over $6 million of assistance. In this economy county dollars are now needed to increase the amount of funds available for county businesses located in Fond du Lac, Ripon, or throughout the County.

Mercury Marine’s loss would have seriously damaged the economy of Fond du Lac County and the entire region. Fond du Lac County’s losses alone would have equaled $353 million in payroll from Mercury, as well as other businesses, restaurants and stores around the county. In addition, the 1,800 Mercury employees along with an estimated 4,000 other county workers would have lost their jobs. As County Executive I could not let that happen. If Mercury Marine were located in Ripon I would have been willing to support the same package. The only way to keep Mercury in Fond du Lac County was through a partnership between the State, the County and the City of Fond du Lac offering necessary financial incentives for them to stay if they received the contract concessions from their union employees. Mercury Marine will receive credits towards repayment of the loan for jobs retained and job growth in Fond du Lac. That could result in credits of $1 - $2.1 million annually over a period of ten years. Those credits must be funded either through property tax or a sales tax. I supported the sales tax. A sales tax would also provide the funds required to further increase the County Revolving Loan Fund. All funds are presently loaned out; therefore a business must wait for the dollars needed for expansion or business improvements.

Mercury Marine is thankfully staying in the county, therefore their employees will not be competing for limited available jobs. People will be called back to work as Stillwater jobs arrive here and other local workers take the retirement incentive package. As the economy improves, manufacturing jobs will be added for workers from all over, including Ripon. This is the first time a County has been this aggressive in keeping a business, but it is not uncommon for cities. I am impressed that Ripon City Council has supported the creation of a TID and is willing to borrow over $8 million to support the redevelopment of its downtown. I do wish Ripon much success in that endeavor so that one day that TID does not require property tax dollars. Mayor Kramer, if in the future the County’s help is needed please contact me and I will do what I can.

Allen Buechel
Fond du Lac County Executive
160 S. Macy Street
Fond du Lac WI 54935
920-929-3155