To the editor:
The city of Caribou has given our organization $155,000 six years in a row. For that investment (which by the way is the smallest expense in the city of Caribou’s 2007 audit for “Governmental Expenses” at just less than one half of 1 percent of the city’s expenses), we loaned $800,000 in 2008. For that investment, our current loan clients paid $175,000 in just property taxes in 2007. For that investment of $155,000 our current loan clients (not including those who have received loans, and subsequently have paid us out) will have paid over $200,000 in property taxes for 2008. For that investment, we leveraged $1.3 million in investment with our local banks this year. For that investment, we sold one piece of land, which will leverage an investment just short of $500,000 in tax valuation to the city of Caribou upon completion by 2010. We have over $2 million out in commercial loans to Caribou businesses, right now.
I believe we are well worth the investment to the city of Caribou. I also believe this organization is well worth the investment of my tax dollars as a taxpayer and business owner in this community.
CCC&I Board president
