Another flashback to 2007. This was after Linda Pall, Aaron Ament, Nancy Chaney, and the anti-business crowd voted to turn Moscow into an anti-business safe zone. This from the 19 Oct 2007 edition of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News:
Walter Steed said he “welcomes into Moscow any business that would like to come here” – and he means it.
…
“It’s got to do with businesses that want to come here and talking and finding out if there’s a way to work them into the community,” he said. “I do mean it, but I am not a ‘bring anything and put it anywhere’ (person). It’s more of, ‘Bring anything and see if we can find a place to put it.’ “
And here is the difference between anti-business and pro-business:
Steed said Moscow is perceived as anti-business, particularly since the last council election. As a result, businesses are locating in Whitman County and the Lewis-Clark Valley instead of Moscow.
“I don’t think that people having to drive to these other communities and spend their tax dollars is good for Moscow,” he said.
The city should encourage any business to come to Moscow and see if they can succeed, he said.
“There are people who say we need to be selective and pick and choose our businesses. I do not believe that,” he said. “I believe that the market can work on its own without being restricted.”
Bringing in more retail will not hurt local businesses, Steed said.
“Tri-State has been a bigger and better store since Wal-Mart moved into Moscow,” he said. “They have used Wal-Mart to challenge them to provide a broader line of products to the community” and increased their size.
More retail in Moscow will encourage people to shop at other businesses, eat at restaurants and visit coffee shops in town, Steed said.