To the Editor:

Anyone who has lived in Guilderland, Albany County, or the Greater Capital District over the past few years knows of the plans to bring a Costco to the region. This would be a great addition to the region by bringing in this brand and by giving shoppers another option for warehouse retail.

Costco is one of the few brands remaining that is not yet in the Albany market. Costco also has significant customer loyalty, and today Capital Region customers are traveling nearly 100 miles in any direction to find a store.

This is important for several reasons, but I’ll address the most important: sales-tax revenue. When residents spend their money in Massachusetts, central New York, and the lower Hudson Valley, far-away municipalities are collecting the sales tax revenue.

Following approval, the project would grow tax dollars in our community. In fact, it is more akin to a reinvestment in our local municipalities and schools. This will translate into millions of dollars in the coming years.

This is just one important benefit of bringing a Costco in our region, not to mention the hundreds of jobs this store and the construction would bring. And in a time when our economy is desperate for new jobs.

I am in favor of the project because, in my opinion, the benefits far outweigh any potential perceived negatives.

I appreciate the diligent effort and detailed analysis completed by the town of Guilderland and am hopeful they approve the project soon. Our community will need new forms of revenue and this project can do that.

Bill Coons

Guilderland

Editor’s note: Bill Coons is the brother-in-law of Jacqueline Coons, chief building and zoning inspector for the town of Guilderland.