To get the brownfields grant, Home Depot had to apply to the state Department of Commerce. The taxpayers of Wisconsin are also paying for the addition of a third left turn lane at the site. Home Depot had been haggling with the city over other road development costs at the site. Small businesses already located at the Plaza are being given the boot to make way for site demolition. “I’m very supportive of the brownfields program,” Levitan told the Capital Times, “but to use it for a corporation with a billion dollars in profits reflects a different set of priorities.” The tax dollars will be used for “remediation and redevelopment” of the deteriorating shopping center. Member Stuart Levitan found it “beyond ironic” that a wealthy corporation was allowed to get taxpayers to help foot the bill of developing the Depot site. The corporate welfare given to the largest home improvement store in the world was criticized by only one membr of the Madison Plan Commission. If they pollute their locations before closing down, perhaps the next tenants could qualify for tax dollars as well. This generous grant will allow the taxpayers of Wisconsin to help Home Depot eliminate employment at other firms in the trade area which were not fortunate enough to attract state grants.

However, state officials are tossing in a $750,000 “grant” to help Home Depot along. No word on how many jobs at other building supply stores and grocery stores will be eliminated. The company reportedly told city officials that the project would “create” more than 600 jobs. store at Nakoma Plaza, along with a 60,000 s.f. Home Depot proposed building a 115,000 s.f. The site, known as Nakoma Plaza, qualifies for state funding under the Brownfields Grant program. Yet the company is willing to accept taxpayer’s money to develop a store location in Madison, WI. In 1997, Home Depot had sales in excess of $19 billion.

Home depot hogwasher