Voters expected to be asked to renew half-cent sales tax

Members of the business community plan to start a campaign this summer to renew the half-cent sales tax.

The tax is set to expire at the end of 2016. About $43 million is in the account, which is earmarked for economic development.

Rod Slyhoff, president of the Pueblo Greater Chamber of Commerce, will be leading the campaign.

“We’re seeing more companies looking at Pueblo, looking for opportunities to relocate,” Slyhoff said.

In recent years, it’s been challenging to find companies to move to Pueblo. Slyhoff said it’s a sign that the economy is still recovering from the recession.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 asked Slyhoff if the current business model of the tax is working.

“I think it is,” Slyhoff said. “Does it need to be tweaked? Those are the discussions I think that are going to take place with City Council and other people.”

In 2013, 252 jobs were committed with Pueblo tax dollars. In 2014, there were none. So far this year, 46 jobs have been committed. It breaks down to about 11 jobs a month over the last two years.

“The recession has certainly had an effect on companies that have decided to expand or relocate because of the economy,” Slyhoff said.

He said it takes time to woo companies to Pueblo, pointing to one of the city’s biggest success stories: Vestas. According to Slyhoff, the city spoke with the wind-turbine manufacturing plant for 10 years before they came to Pueblo.

“They made a commitment to us for 450 jobs and currently today they’re operating at a much higher level of jobs,” Slyhoff said.

City Council President Steve Nawrocki wants the tax to be renewed, but said the way the tax money is spent needs to be expanded.

“I think it needs to be more inclusive for other things that enhance economic development and that could mean some infrastructure. And it also could mean some marketing,” Nawrocki said.