Why is it a good thing that a new corporate headquarters is going to bring 2,000 new jobs to the city of Carmel?
That is an interesting question to ponder as some people feel Carmel has already reached a high level of success in attracting businesses and residents and perhaps it is time to slow down or stop?
We would argue that if we are NOT attracting new jobs, then we must be doing something wrong.
We would argue that if we are NOT attracting new jobs, then we must be doing something wrong. We feel attracting new jobs is much better than losing them.
The new Republic Airways Corporate Headquarters and Training Center is a big deal for Carmel. It will bring in millions of dollars in new real estate investment, impacting employment in construction, design, hospitality and other sectors of our local economy. The location is another bonus for the City as it will transform an eyesore of an old, abandoned strip mall and turn it into a new corporate campus alongside the busiest highway in Carmel.
Adding 2,000 new jobs can benefit our local job market by having a positive effect on unemployed or underemployed workers. Perhaps they will allow some under-employed workers to earn a higher wage, which is good for tax collection and local spending. And, of course, good for families, especially in times of inflation.
A strong business sector in Carmel is also good because our residents appreciate our low residential property taxes. If Carmel’s business sector is healthy, then business taxes help cover much of the operation costs of the city and schools.
The City of Carmel has roughly 56,000 people who work here but live outside our city. That’s 56,000 people driving here, then driving home. It is hard to imagine a downside of adding another 2,000 jobs to that total. Those workers are part of Carmel’s 65,000 total workforce, all filling the millions of square feet of office and commercial buildings, shopping at our stores, eating at our restaurants, creating a ripple effect for small business owners who benefit from a vibrant economy.
No doubt, some of those employees will move to Carmel, while others will move to surrounding communities. Either way, 2,000 jobs will have a positive impact on the regional housing market, which again helps keep construction and service jobs viable.
While there could be down sides – including an impact on housing supply and demand that causes prices to, impacts on schools from increased population, increases in traffic – generally, we feel the upside is much greater than the downside.
Authored by Jeff Worrell, Sue Finkam, Laura Campbell, Tim Hannon, Bruce Kimball, Miles Nelson, Tony Green and Adam Aasen.