AMY’S IS COMING, AMY’S IS COMING!!!

Amy’s, makers of organic frozen foods is planning to open a production building of over ½ million square feet and a 200,000 square foot conference center with hotel in Goshen. Amy’s hopes to employ about 700 people at this new facility. Amy’s also mentioned that they could use local farms for their products.

Isn’t this great?

They acknowledge that this location is actually more beneficial to them because (believe it or not) the majority of their customers are east of the Mississippi, not in California (there goes the stereotype!) and this facility would make for easier access to those customers and also the expanding European Market. So, this move is very beneficial for them.

Then why are they getting a tax abatement of $4.5 MILLION? And mortgage tax exemptions and sales and use tax exemptions? How much more money are WE going to have to pay for corporations to get these breaks?

Re: JOBS, JOBS, JOBS! 700 people!!! Is there something in writing that would GUARANTEE that the employees would be LOCAL? Can you even do that?

Our elected officials really need to look more deeply into these applications and not just have an immediate reaction when certain buzzwords are uttered. Hey, you elected officials, don’t strain yourselves but look closely at these applications and weigh the pros and cons. Don’t go for something because it sounds good, is a good press opportunity or because EVERYONE ELSE IS DOING IT!!! WE are paying YOU, so do your job!

Don’t get me wrong, your Auntie LOVES Amy’s foods and is, at this very moment, looking at a package of Amy’s Bowls-Country Cheddar, which loudly proclaims on the packaging “Made with ORGANIC Pasta and Vegetables”.

Nice.

Something that no one seems to have considered: ORGANIC!

How can Amy’s use local farms when the majority of farms in Orange County are not CERTIFIED ORGANIC? (And it would take a few years to get that designation.)

Lead Agency status is to be decided at a meeting next week, May 22^nd Goshen Town Hall. Since this affects the entire county, you might want to attend.

And if the Admiral is there, just LISTEN for a change.