Trending
Officials in Weirton took a first step this week to provide city businesses with a one-time, 10 percent credit on what they owe in Business & Occupation taxes for the third and fourth quarters of the current fiscal year.
That's a good start toward needed relief for local businesses that have suffered during the pandemic -- particularly when cities such as Weirton have made out financially through direct payments from the federal CARES Act.
Weirton has received approximately $6 million in funding from the federal program. Right now, outside of a few minor purchases, the city has allocated approximately $500,000 for a needed project at the Millsop Community Center. The remainder of the $6 million has been placed into Rainy Day and Contingency funds.
It makes little sense for the city to continue sitting on this funding when businesses are suffering. Council should work to find additional ways to help local businesses recover.
Just as we did with Wheeling when city leaders there offered relief to businesses in the form of a B&O tax credit, we urge city leaders in Weirton to find additional ways to help the local business community recover.