Continued Support for Tax Free Day
April 17, 2015
City of Ketchikan
334 Front Street
Ketchikan, AK 99901
Honorable Members of the Council and Mayor Williams III:
I write this letter to express the desire of the Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce and the local business community that the City of Ketchikan, in conjunction with the Ketchikan Gateway Borough, declare Saturday, October 3rd “Tax Free Day” and temporarily suspend the collection of sales tax on this date.
In the past, tax free days have been a boon to local businesses and have given Ketchikan’s brick-and-mortar shops a leg up in competing against online retailers. Last year’s “Tax Free Day” on Saturday, October 4th was no exception, and the feedback I have received regarding this most recent holiday has been glowing. Encouraging our citizens to “Shop Local First” facilitates return visits throughout the year that might not have occurred without a tax holiday, and this building of loyalty is something that both strengthens our economy and augments local municipal coffers in the long run.
Because the State of Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend payments will be disbursed on October 1st this year, Saturday, October 3rd is an ideal date to declare a tax holiday and capture some of the dollars being spent as a result of temporary boosts in income.
The Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce and the local business community ask that you declare Saturday, October 3rd “Tax Free Day.” Doing so will support our community’s entrepreneurs, encourage consumers to “Shop Local First,” and inject into our economy welcome Alaskan dollars.
With respect and thanks,
Chelsea Goucher, Executive Director
Greater Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce
P: (907) 225-3184
C: (907) 220-2133
E: chelsea@ketchikanchamber.com
cc: Honorable Members of the Assembly and Mayor Landis