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Local leaders tout commercial growth, warn of housing pressure; urge support for bills on nightly rentals, EMS funding
Summary
Washington County officials and chamber leaders said major commercial and logistics projects are coming to the county, but warned that tourism-driven demand and new development are increasing pressure on housing affordability.
Panelists at the Washington County Republican Women meeting described a wave of private development and commercial projects across the county and linked growth to pressure on housing affordability.
Jordan Hess, representing Washington City, said sales tax finances roughly 65% of the city's revenue and credited sales-tax–driven commercial growth with allowing the city not to raise property taxes "in almost 30 years." Hess described multiple planned projects, including a Hyatt House hotel at Exit 13, a Homewood Suites by Hilton at Green Springs, a Star Nursery and WinCo, and an RFP for three downtown blocks intended to create a walkable downtown with dining and recreation. He also described a planned George Washington Plaza, including a life-sized bronze statue and Mount Vernon–style gates.
Sean Christiansen…
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