Terex take advantage of tax programs

To the editor:

While I'm happy that Terex has chosen Cedar Rapids over Marion for their new location, I agree with Marion City Manager Lon Pluckhahn that Terex is not playing fair and is taking advantage of the tax increment financing program. But that is not unusual for Terex ('Marion leaders blast unusual tax incentive,” Jan. 6).

In September 2000, Terex defaulted on a $581,800 state loan from Community Economic Betterment Account, or CEBA. Terex donated 7 acres of land to St. Wenceslaus Church and the church donated the land to the city. The city repaid $450,000 of that state loan.

Pluckhahn is right when he says big businesses (such as Terex) are 'pitting communities against one another to get a benefit they don't really need.”

Jared S. Hills

Cedar Rapids