WSFA 12 News Montgomery, AL |City finances looking up for Tuskegee

City finances looking up for Tuskegee

Posted by: Melissa McKinney - bio | email

It's the newest addition to Tuskegee.

"Retail is the vehicle by which dollars are generated to the government, and the more dollars we get the better we're able to increase the quality of life for our people here in Tuskegee," adds Neal.The Mayor says he's currently recruiting more retailers into town. It's good news for city coffers and citizens hoping to cash in on increased revenue and more convenient shopping.©2009 WSFA. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

"That will save some of the traveling to Auburn or Montgomery," says shopper, Betty Johnson.

Neal says keeping people in town keeps their money in town.

But better still, new stores attract out-of-towners, too.

Tammy Burton is from Shorter, Alabama. 

"I come to shop in Tuskegee because we don't have any stores like this in Shorter."

The Mayor says the city's current on its day-to-day bills.

"We are now able to pay our bills on a regular basis, and in a timely manner.  And so we've stabilized."

But there's still the matter of that $2-million the city owes the Internal Revenue Service in past due payroll taxes.

"Help is on the way.  And better days are in front of us," he adds.

The city hired a tax attorney to help them clear the money they owe the IRS.

Mayor Neal says they're trying to pay that as soon as they can.