By CAROL BRONISZ
Los Alamos

County Council proclaims small business support, but small business is impeded.

The proposed purchase of 3 lots across from the high school is anti-business (at 176% of the appraised value). A County purchase would force businesses in the old Ed’s market to lose their space when their leases expire, which will likely mean higher rents plus new space build-out costs.

The County stated it will work with business to develop the lots, but the history of the County working with local business is negative. From KRSN’s multiyear struggle to permit their tower, the lawsuit with Sirphey, Pet Pangaea’s attempts to build a new store, and SALA’s recently failed cooperative attempt (along with many other previous situations), history follows the same pattern. Why would anyone think the County’s “intent” to work with business on this property will be any different? Just last month, the County signed contracts for an out-of-town business to install and manage a fiber optic network. LANet (a local business) has served the County for 25 years and spent substantial capital and effort installing fiber optic lines in parts of the County. Does the County intend to put LANet out of business? Will the County service compete with LANet? The County has a track record of supporting large, out-of-town interests above local business.

The County Development process is BROKEN. County Council and County Manager: This is your responsibility! The permitting process appears to focus more on blocking development rather than moving it forward. Absurdly, the County caused Sirphey to waste significant resources, eventually killing their project, rather than helping Sirphey resolve issues promptly. This type of thing has happened over and over. Apparently, someone was fired over the Sirphey disaster, but change is not evident. Council seems puzzled by the lack of private initiative with unutilized buildings in town, but many business people have stated it is too difficult to do business in Los Alamos, so they go elsewhere.

County Council: Your priority should be to Fix the Broken System before you initiate any new municipal development and purchases. The land purchase proposal, file number 19365-24, states it “is a strategic purchase to enable progress on some of the Council’s goals of Economic Vitality.” Methinks, “Hogwash”. VOTE NO.