Letter: A better way to support jobs in Buncombe

Graphic by Lori Deaton

The public explanation for the decision of the Buncombe County commissioners to give tax incentives to Pratt & Whitney was that we need the jobs. There is a better way.

In 2011, researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst produced a peer-reviewed report about the comparative effects on job creation between investments in the military-industrial complex, on the one hand, and clean energy, education and health care, on the other.

The report’s conclusion was straightforward and unequivocal: “Investments in clean energy, health care and education create a much larger number of jobs across all pay ranges, including midrange jobs (paying between $32,000 and $64,000) and high-paying jobs (paying over $64,000).”

In 2019, these findings were updated in a report from Brown University titled “War Spending and Lost Opportunities.” Here is its conclusion: “Including both direct and indirect jobs, the military creates 6.9 jobs per $1 million, while the clean energy industry and infrastructure each support 9.8 jobs, health care supports 14.3, and education supports 15.2. So for the same amount of spending, clean energy and infrastructure create 40 percent more jobs than the military, health care creates 100% more, and education 120% more.”

The common understanding that the defense industry is the source of the most and best jobs is false.

We should be giving tax incentives to local sustainable businesses, not to a multinational corporation that relies on fossil fuels and perpetuates a war industry that is the scourge of the world. And which will undoubtedly leave us with an environmental and health mess after it predictably moves on.

— Ken Jones
Swannanoa

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7 thoughts on “Letter: A better way to support jobs in Buncombe

  1. Curious

    What clean energy, health care, or education businesses were available to invest $650 million and create 800 jobs at the site donated by Biltmore Farms?

    • Lou

      Which were invited to do so? This was an almost unilateral decision and it SUCKS.

    • DreadT

      Let’s not forget the 4 lane bridge that will be built over the French Broad River to access this site, paid for by taxpayers. Not really a completely strings free land donation when the taxpayers foot the bill.

      What clean energy, health care, or education businesses were courted to come here as P&W was? I’m guessing NONE.

  2. Local Grandad

    The writer overlooks a few points. From what Mtx has printed, Pratt wages exceed those of even the highest bracket quoted by this study. He also overlooks that some great percentage of the company engines power commercial airplanes. Does the writer fly in those? Lastly he assumes everyone shares his offense at jet engines. I don’t. Nor do the hundreds of residents who will work there and improve their lives through a good job. Welcome Pratt and thanks to our county for the support of our working families.

    • indy499

      Exactly, Grandad. The letter writer is so anxious to make a point he finds some “facts” and tries to squeeze them into this issue.

      Here we have a real case. We know the jobs and salaries. Those two studies don;t apply.

    • Lou

      Good wages for the work of the devil? Seriously, there are so many other industries in which I would have been happy to invest. Another environmentally hazardous manufacturer of plane parts used to perpetuate war and misery? Um, no thank you. Wait, did anyone ask??

      • Jim

        Do you really think the next pretenders to have been elected aren’t going to start another war to enhance the profitability of the war machine? “Come on man”.

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