Dear Editor,

Voters in Nederland will soon vote on a proposal from TEENS, Inc. to develop a child care and early childhood education facility on Town property. Much has been said about the obvious social benefit of this project.

There is also a clear, timely, and substantial economic benefit to the Town and its citizens that will arise from the proposed project; here’s why:

Per TEENS SRU application they will fund and construct a $5 million facility on the Town’s land. In exchange for this investment, TEENS, Inc. “shall have a leasehold interest in the land”. In other words, the Town will retain ownership of both the land AND the building. So, the value of the town owned property will have increased by $5 million, without any cash investment from the Town. Because the Town of Nederland will continue to own the property, this benefit accrues equally to all of its citizens.

Opponents may argue that someone else will propose a similar deal for a different purpose, but, no one has; and TEENS, Inc. stands ready NOW with the funding, experience, and credibility to make this substantial social and economic benefit happen for Nederland.

Please vote to go ahead with this rare and generous opportunity!

Charles Wood

Former Nederland Trustee and Mayor ProTem