By Eric C. Deines edeines@independenttribune.com Sunday, September 30, 2007

CONCORD – At the many growth-focused pow wows and board meetings held in Cabarrus over the last year, therehas been at least one mention of a sales tax program called Pennies for Progress.

The program, which has been implemented in York County, S.C., since 1997, sets aside a one-cent sales tax that must be put toward certain public projects pre-approved by residents.

Aubry Haigler, president of the Cabarrus County Building Industry Association, first presented the program to the county when Cabarrus County commissioners considered upping the fees developers pay for new homes in a move to assist in construction new schools.

Haigler has said the tax has potential to raise $13 million annually, far more than the fees paid by developers.

“The good thing about this tax,” Haigler said, “is that it’s really taxing the people who come into Cabarrus to shop at Concord Mills, attend races.”

York County has passed two referendums on Pennies for Progress.

The first, which ran from 1997 to 2003, raised a budget of $185 million. (more…)