Oreck still owes the public more than half of a $3 million, low-interest loan granted by Harrison County and the state (Mississippi) to help establish Oreck's presence here in 1997.
President Tom Oreck said the company's plant relocation was prompted by Hurricane Katrina."Over a year later, the increased cost of doing business and the harsh realities of living on the Gulf Coast caused the relocation decision," he said in the press release. But Connie Rockco, president of the Harrison County Board of Supervisors, has responded that since the hurricane, everyone - businesses, local governments and people - have been burdened by skyrocketing insurance costs, rebuilding expenses and harsh living conditions. She believes companies that have prospered here have an obligation to tough it out and stay, not only for their workers, but for the community at large.
Maybe Mississippi should rethink the way we lure business to Mississippi. Oreck's "sweet deal"
Through the years, Harrison County has given numerous economic development incentives to Oreck Manufacturing Co., mostly at the urging of the county's Development Commission. They have included:seems unfair to the average Mississippian.
• A $3 million state/county loan, repayable over 20 years at 2.5 percent interest.
• Exemption from county property taxes since 1998 on company property and equipment in the Long Beach Industrial Park.
• Industrial park land repeatedly deeded to the company either at no cost, or at well below market value.
• A non-repayable, $416,000 community development block grant.
• A free access road to the company's former call center.
• Warehouse exemption from taxes on manufactured goods shipped from Harrison County.
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