Florence Town Near Phoenix is Seeing Crossing of Swords

Residential construction work by two companies, Pulte Group and Southwest Value Partners has stalled since the economic downturn. At this juncture Curis Resources Ltd, based in Vancouver in British Columbia bought adjacent land for purposes of copper mining.

The developers said that although stalled their plans for building residential neighbourhood was alive. Mining activity would destroy the underground water reserves. The mining group argues that their operations would result in generating jobs – something much in demand.

Tom Smith the Vice Mayor of Florence has doubts. Should jobs be given priority over housing? Florence hosts correctional facilities giving employment to thousands of locals; here the unemployment rate is 4% - the proportion being not even half of the nation’s average.

Dispute over land between sparring residential and industrial neighbourhoods is not new. Residential communities eye mining operations with suspicion. In Texas the drilling of shale-gas has made the residents worried about the quality of the air and use of water.

The picture is slightly different in Florence. The dispute shows up difference of opinion among the legislators of the state and the local government. The conce
is a tug of war between environment and the economy. Governor Jan Brewer (Republican) is for the mining project because of the jobs it promises and the excise revenue that will come into the state coffers; within the next twenty years it will be about $150 million.

The officials of the Florence Town administration say that the mine promises gains for the short term; there is nothing in the long term for Florence. From a mega residential community the property taxes would be generous. Smith said, “There’s more taxes in (Pulte’s) commercial and residential development than will ever come out of that mine”. He bases his argument on the surety that demands for housing is bound to return.

It is tight rope walking to compare the benefits coming from housing with that coming from mining. According to the National Association of Home Builders the building of one house generates three jobs (full-time) and $90,000 tax revenue (new) from all segments – house owners, suppliers, developers, shop owners etc.

But the mining lobby said this is not going to happen soon because of the present economic gloom. A former mayor said that thinking about a new housing boom is nothing but a delusion.