Community Corner

Acworth Businesses Back SPLOST

The sales tax extension would benefit the area, the city's business organization says.

The Acworth Business Association announced this month that its board of directors decided to support the renewal of the 1-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax in Cobb County.

“In keeping with our mission as advocates for our business community, ABA supports the approval of the 2011 SPLOST," ABA President Vince Bubolo said. "The ABA is encouraging Cobb voters to vote for the 2012-2015 SPLOST. ... It is projected, if approved, the four-year SPLOST would generate over $13 million for Acworth. SPLOST revenue would go to make improvements to the headquarters and further improve safety for our citizens and visitors, relieve traffic congestion near the Lakeside Marketplace shopping center at the intersection of Mars Hill Road and U.S. 41 (Cobb Parkway), renovate and improve , where the Love the Lake Festival is held each year, and improve parking and traffic in downtown Acworth—to name just a few items on the SPLOST projects list.”

The ABA said it based that recommendation on the following points:

Find out what's happening in Acworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • The renewal of the SPLOST will not raise the current 6 percent sales tax—already one of the lowest rates in the state—that Cobb County charges while providing critical infrastructure improvements that are vital for economic growth and job creation.
  • Failure to renew the SPLOST, and the subsequent absence of revenue, may force the county to raise property taxes, incur costly deferment of maintenance, and incur debt to keep pace with our past and future growth.
  • Nearly 30 percent of the previously-collected SPLOST revenues came from noncounty residents.
  • The project list has been vetted by the taxpayers and has a four-year sunset to ensure accountability.

“We believe people shop, do business, work, play and live where it is safe, convenient and pleasant,” Bubolo said. “The proposed SPLOST projects will continue to make our community so and could positively affect our real estate values and curb appeal. We believe our county commissioners and local city officials will continue to be prudent and fair in the equitable allocation of these funds.”

He added: “There are many more projects anticipated to be included in Acworth’s city improvement plan. For a more detailed explanation and list of specific projects for Cobb County and the city of Acworth, we invite you to go to our website at acworthbusiness.org.”

Find out what's happening in Acworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Acworth