ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

WHEREAS, wages in North Dakota are among the lowest in the nation; and

WHEREAS, the globalization of the economy has seen many companies relocate in search of low-wage workers; and

WHEREAS, state and local government in North Dakota grant millions of dollars in business incentives each year without requiring either payment of wages that enable workers to live in the community at a reasonable standard of living, or a specified accounting of any benefits these grants have brought to the state;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the South Central Citizens Coalition urge the State Legislature to enact law requiring companies that receive business incentives to pay a living wage to all employees; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that South Central Citizens Coalition urges the State Legislature to enact law setting standards for business incentive grants, including a vote on every grant by a publicly elected body, the right to a public hearing in the locality affected, full accounting of benefits by businesses awarded grants, and the right of the state or political subdivision to reclaim grant moneys if the terms of the grant agreement are not met.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that South Central Citizens Coalition urge the Jamestown Stutsman Development Corporation (JSDC) to require that businesses that receive business incentives to pay a living wage to all employees, require a full accounting of benefits by businesses awarded grants or other incentives, and retain the right of the JSDC to reclaim grant moneys if the terms of the grant agreement are not met.