Debate on GPT Tax benefits
October 25th, 2012 – Bellingham Herald Article by John Stark
In a report released earlier this week, Gateway Pacific backers stirred up the debate by indicating that the Cherry Point coal and bulk cargo terminal proposed by SSA Marine could go on the property tax rolls at a value of about $665 million, making it the second-largest taxpayer after the BP Cherry Point refinery at about $829 million.
Communitywise Bellingham’s Executive Director, Shannon Wright, questions whether the purported increases would be enough to offset some of the increased costs of the project on the local community.
The actual impact of the increased taxes is complex. Whatcom County Assessor Keith Willnauer says the impact of a major new industrial taxpayer on other taxpayers would be varied.
