Cornerstone Chamber Opposing BH Income Tax Proposal

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You can add the Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce to the list of organizations opposed to Benton Harbor’s income tax proposal. The chamber’s Chris Heugel tells us the board has passed a resolution officially opposing the tax. He says the board does not think it’s what Benton Harbor needs right now. Huegel tells us, “Our members drive jobs in this community and they have said that an income tax is detrimental to their operations and hinders their ability to grow and hire more individuals.”

Huegel tells us Cornerstone Chamber members were surveyed in early August about the income tax, and many expressed a concern that it’s a punishment for taking the risk of investing in Benton Harbor. The proposed income tax would be 1% for city residents and 0.5% for non-residents who work in the city. It would generate an estimated $2 million each year for infrastructure repairs and emergencies. City officials say that funding is badly needed. The income tax will be on Benton Harbor ballots November 7.