When those swimmer families stop for gasoline they most likely will purch=
ase some bottled water, soda and chips. All of these purchases enter int=
o the multiplier as I pay Pepsi, Coke, Frito and Hostess.....which pay =
their drivers and sales force which in turn buy homes, autos, groceries =
and eat out.
Moscow is a town built on agriculture and education. If we make use of =
those resources our community can grow and still maintain the quality of =
life we enjoy. We aren't looking for an INEL to bring families. We can =
bring in conferences, Jazz Festivals, and swim meets. Those visitors do =
leave lots of dollars at McDonald's, Ken's, the Emerald Gourmet, or Laura=
's Tea House. The products aren't made locally but the profits do turn =
several times as rents are paid and the local people use that money for =
food and other expenditures.
It cost the same to keep a gasoline station open 24 hours with wages, lig=
hts, insurance and taxes. But if I increase the sales from 750 customers=
to over a 1000 customers because there is a festival or fair in town, =
my staff may earn bonuses which I am sure they will spend in the Moscow =
economy. They won't be able to enjoy a meal at the Deli or the Nobby, =
but they will spend it.
The people working here at Fairco don't make the kind of money that a pro=
fessor or engineer may make, but there are a lot of vacant apartments and=
smaller homes. This type of job does help college students through scho=
ol.
There are no easy answers, however, I am concerned about the image of Mos=
cow like city entrances (thanks, Marshall for making this a priority) and=
the loss in university student enrollment with higher out of state tuiti=
on. Moscow needs a swimming pool, fairgrounds for more than a once a yea=
r event, places to eat, bookstores, strong libraries, art galleries and =
schools.
Sorry this went so long......guess it shows the complexity of the concern=
s and challenges facing our area. Finally, buying from a business that =
is locally owned and operated does make a difference whether the products=
we sale are locally made or not.
Judi Thompson
Fairco MiniMart
Quality Conoco Gasolines
Laser Touch Carwash
Idaho State Fish and Game Vendor
Locally owned and operated
208-883-3253
FaircoMiniMart@turbonet.com