The Big Picture – How our strategies impact the tax base

At a recent meeting, we discussed various economic approaches, and it became clear that many people don’t see the connection between our development choices and the tax base. This realization prompted me to shed light on how our community’s development strategies directly influence our economy and tax rates.

Infrastructure and Population Density

We all desire essentials like good roads, reliable utilities, quality education, healthcare, and vibrant local businesses. However, these amenities come at a cost. A critical factor often overlooked is how infrastructure expansion, coupled with population changes, affects our financial health.

In 2000, Emporia spanned approximately 10.45 square miles with a population of 26,760. By 2025, our area will have expanded to about 11.94 square miles, while our population has decreased to 24,105. This shift means we’re now 21.6% less dense than we were 25 years ago. Consequently, fewer residents are bearing the cost of maintaining more extensive infrastructure.

The Benefits of Density-Based Development

Rather than expanding outward, Emporia Main Street focuses on revitalizing existing spaces and promoting infill development—strategies that strengthen our tax base without incurring unnecessary expenses.

Revitalizing existing buildings allows us to accommodate new businesses without the need for additional infrastructure. This approach maximizes our current assets and reduces the financial burden of new developments.

Developing upper-story housing transforms underutilized spaces into valuable residential areas. This strategy increases property values, brings more residents downtown, and creates a built-in customer base for local businesses, enhancing economic vitality.

Hosting events in our core downtown area attracts people to local businesses, boosting local spending. Since many downtown establishments are locally owned, the money spent circulates within our community, fostering a robust local economy.

Research supports these strategies. For instance, Main Street America’s approach to community-based revitalization has been instrumental in transforming downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts across the country. Main Street’s adaptable framework emphasizes leveraging unique local assets to stimulate economic growth and community development.

The Hidden Costs of Sprawl

While new developments on the outskirts may seem appealing, they come with hidden costs:

• New Infrastructure Requirements: Developing greenfields necessitates new roads, utilities, and services, all of which require ongoing maintenance funded by taxpayers.

• Underutilized Existing Infrastructure: Vacant residential or commercial properties represent wasted investments, as the infrastructure supporting them remains underused.

In rural communities like ours, where land is readily available, unchecked expansion can lead to vacant or neglected properties, draining resources and weakening the tax base. Implementing smart policies that encourage adaptive reuse, infill development, and enforce standards for property maintenance can mitigate these issues.

Our Commitment to Sustainable Growth

Emporia Main Street is dedicated to more than just enhancing our downtown’s appearance; we’re committed to building a sustainable, thriving region. Our initiatives include:

• Assisting entrepreneurs in finding and revitalizing existing spaces, reducing the need for costly new developments.
• Advocating for upper-story housing to increase density and economic activity.
• Supporting businesses that invest in existing infrastructure, keeping costs low for everyone.
• Promoting policies that hold property owners accountable for vacant or neglected properties.

Economic development isn’t solely about attracting new businesses; it’s about ensuring that our current businesses can thrive. This begins with thoughtful, density-based planning.

By understanding the impact of our development choices, we can advocate for sustainable solutions that benefit all residents. The decisions we make today will shape Emporia’s tax base, economy, and quality of life for years to come.

Join Us in Building a Sustainable Future

We invite you to support smarter development in Emporia. If you have ideas or wish to get involved, please contact us at emporiamainstreet.com, CLICK HERE to email the office, or stop by and see us at 727 Commercial Street. Together, we can build a stronger, more sustainable future for our community.