ST. JOSEPH’S HISTORIC FOUNDATION, INC./ HAYTI HERITAGE CENTER Encourages Voters to Support the Proposed Prepared Meals Tax
To learn more, visit www.co.durham.nc.us or www.durhamnc.gov
St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation, Inc./Hayti Heritage Center, Downtown Durham Inc, the Durham Chamber of Commerce, Durham Central Park, Preservation Durham, the Museum of Life and Science, the Durham Arts Council and the Durham Tourism Development Authority have all endorsed the proposed Prepared Meals Tax based on the benefits it will provide this community in the future.
Several of the key points of St. Joseph’s Historic Foundation/Hayti Heritage Center’s endorsement are:
• The financial implications and benefits of this tax REDUCE PRESSURE ON PROPERTY TAXES.
• This tax already exists in Charlotte/Mecklenburg, Raleigh/Wake, Fayetteville/Cumberland, Dare County and the Town of Hillsborough.
• 40% of the revenue will be generated by visitors and non-resident commuters. (Dining is the top visitor activity and half of all jobs in Durham are held by non-resident commuters.)
• Each of the designated uses is designed to benefit both the consumer and the business collecting the tax.
• The projects include expansion of Durham’s Trail System, environmental education, and cultural & entertainment projects that will make our community special. $14 MILLION specifically designed for expansion of the Hayti Heritage Center.
• The cost of the tax will be 10 cents on a $10 meal, 50 cents on a $50 meal and $1 on a $100 meal.
• According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, eating out is a progressive tax in the sense that lower-income people spend a lower percentage of their household income on restaurant meals than those with higher income & lower income people spend a bigger percentage of their income on housing than higher income people.
• This would be the largest amount of funding EVER for Greenways and Trails in Durham.
• The other counties who have had this revenue stream have had great successes-(for example, Raleigh has used this tax for the RBC Center & the new Convention Center). Durham can have this same success with community beautification, workforce development, community marketing and cultural assets.
For more information on the Prepared Meals Tax Referendum, please click here.
