Survey Finds Louisianans Strongly Support Marketplace Fairness
As a follow-up to my previous posts about the Marketplace Fairness Act, I wanted to share the results of a recent Louisiana-specific poll. Results released by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) indicate an overwhelming majority of Louisianans (78 percent!) support federal legislation that requires online-only sellers to collect sales tax at the time of purchase. A national poll revealed similar results with the support of 70 percent of Americans.
Here’s a summary of the poll’s other key findings:
- 89 percent of Louisianans think it would be easier to collect sales tax from online-only vendors at the time of purchase, versus paying sales and use taxes through special forms or when filing income taxes as is currently required in many states (82 percent in national poll)
- 89 percent of Louisianans say local retailers are important to their community’s economic health (93 percent in national poll)
Louisianans and the Nation agree that it is time to pass Marketplace Fairness, which, after being combined with the Internet Tax Freedom Act, is the legislation now known as the Marketplace and Internet Tax Fairness Act (MITFA), S. 2609. As I have previously stated, it is important to level the playing field for our retailers who are employing people and paying taxes in our communities. The passage of this bill is critical to the Commercial Real Estate industry, brick-and-mortar retailers and perhaps more importantly, to our state and local governments.
I strongly encourage each of you to contact your representative and to promote this issue on social media sites with the hashtags #efairness, #MITFA, or #efairnessnow.
Forbes: Houma-Thibodaux among America’s Booming Small Cities 2014
Forbes has ranked Houma-Thibodaux the #8 fastest growing small city in the country, featuring the lowest unemployment rate in the USA at 2.8% and per capita personal income growth of nearly 50% from 2000 to 2012.
This ranking on the heels of the recent rankings of Baton Rouge #2, Mobile #3 and New Orleans #5 for Economic Growth Potential by Business Facilities magazine once again demonstrates the tremendous strength and growth of our entire super region. The Top 10 ranking of the Houma-Thibodaux area underscores the primary motivation for our recent acquisition of Ansley Place Apartments in Houma earlier this year.
You can read the entire Forbes article here.
Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. Developing Phase II of Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, LA
Anchored by Dillard’s, Phase II is Over 70% Leased
Stirling Properties and CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. (NYSE: CBL) announced today the construction of the second phase is underway at Fremaux Town Center in Slidell, Louisiana. Site work commenced in June with a scheduled opening in October 2015. Phase II will include roughly 285,000 square feet of additional retail space and will be anchored by a 128,000 square-foot Dillard’s. Phase II is over 70% leased, including executed leases with Red Robin, Zales, Aveda and Francesca’s as well as numerous other retailer commitments to be announced as the project progresses.
“We are excited to offer additional retail and restaurant options for the region that will complement the existing mix of successful stores and restaurants at the center,” stated Townsend Underhill, Stirling Properties’ Senior Vice President of Development.
Currently 99% leased, Phase I of Fremaux Town Center opened in March of this year with approximately 350,000 square feet of retail anchored by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Michaels, T.J.Maxx, and Kohl’s. Sports Clips and Panera Bread recently opened and several other tenants are scheduled to open as follows: Payless ShoeSource and Five Guys Burgers and Fries this week, Starbucks in September, and rue21 and a 41,000 square-foot, full-service LA Fitness later this year. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse recently purchased a 2.3 acre outparcel and is also now under construction with an opening scheduled in early 2015.
“Fremaux Town Center has been successful from the start due to the collection of retailers here and the ideal location,” said Michael Lebovitz, Executive Vice President of Development and Administration at CBL. “This expansion allows us to add even more great retailers to the mix.”
Located on more than 80 acres at the southwest corner of Interstate 10 and Fremaux Avenue in Slidell, Fremaux Town Center will be over 635,000 square feet upon completion. With its interstate location and high-visibility, Fremaux Town Center is expected to become a regional shopping destination.
For leasing information, please contact Ryan Pecot at 337.572.0246 or email at rpecot@stirlingprop.com; Rodney Gordon at 423.553.8704 or email at rodney_gordon@cblproperties.com or Robert Snetman at 423.490.8333 or email at robert_snetman@cblproperties.com.
President’s Message: A Championship Season
With the coming of Fall (hopefully soon) and the kickoff of a brand new football season filled with lofty expectations, excitement is in the air.
Let’s cheer our economic environment – our region remains strong and the nation continues to notice. Just last week, Louisiana was recognized again by a national publication – this time ranking #1 for Best Business Climate in the United States on Business Facilities’ annual Rankings Report, with Alabama rounding out the Top 10. According to the article, “if natural gas, gumbo and Mardi Gras are the only things that come to mind when you think about Louisiana, think again. Name a growth sector – digital media, advanced manufacturing, IT/software – and Louisiana has a specific program geared to welcome new players, with a proven track record of successful startups.”
Perhaps even more impressive, the same magazine’s annual Metro Rankings Report placed Baton Rouge #2, Mobile #3 and New Orleans #5 for Economic Growth Potential – three cities along the booming Gulf Coast in the Top 5, and all are cities where Stirling Properties is actively engaged. Other metro markets in our region are expanding as well – namely Lake Charles, Lafayette, Houma/Thibodaux and Shreveport/Bossier City.
Since my last President’s Message, Stirling too has continued to expand and grow in all of these markets. Our recent efforts include the acquisition of John Toomey & Company in Mobile, commencement of Phase II of Fremaux Town Center in Slidell and the addition of Sam’s Club to Stirling Bossier Shopping Center in Bossier City. We also have in the pipeline two new retail developments in Lake Charles and Lafayette, and we are actively involved in a number of other exciting initiatives.
Our new projects and growth, positive national rankings for our region and the upcoming football season are all certainly creating a buzz of excitement around here…let’s add football champions to the growing list!
Stirling Properties Supports Lafayettte Foundation on Aging’s Adopt-a-Senior Program
Barbara Meaux and Carolyn Ciarrocchi from our Lafayette office present donation to Larry Baker of the Lafayette Foundation on Aging
Stirling Properties is happy to support the Adopt-a-Senior program of the Lafayette Foundation on Aging. Stirling’s contribution will ensure that a senior will receive a home-delivered meal for a year and it is a good feeling to know how our contribution will directly help someone in our community.
The Lafayette Foundation on Aging works to provide daily home-delivered meals to at risk, homebound senior citizens. Their Adopt-a-Senior program provides a large portion of those meals. Last year, 117,300 meals were delivered to seniors who can no longer cook for themselves.
There are over 450 seniors on their waiting list for meals, so there is still a great need. You too can help the Foundation continue its meal delivering mission through the Adopt-a-Senior program. To make a contribution, send a check to the Lafayette Foundation on Aging, Inc., 160 Industrial Parkway, Lafayette, LA 70508. For more information, contact Larry Baker at 337-262-5990.
Click here to learn more about Stirling’s Charitable Giving.
Stirling Properties’ Peter Aamodt Completes New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute
Stirling Properties is pleased to announce that Peter Aamodt, Vice President of Development, is one of 41 business, civic and community leaders to complete the 2014 New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute (NORLI).
NORLI is a nine-month program designed to enhance personal leadership skills and examine issues central to the advancement of the Greater New Orleans region. “The opportunity to discuss and debate the many issues and challenges that face the Greater New Orleans Region with a diverse group of business and community leaders was tremendous,” stated Peter Aamodt, “It was an invaluable experience.”
Through a competitive application process, the class brings together business, civic, and community leaders representing all races, genders, industries, and communities in the region with a mission to promote regional collaboration by providing a forum for the exchange of diverse viewpoints and a network of relationships.
