A columnist for the Ft. Myers News-Press took a strong stand this past week against the questionable use of taxpayer dollars in a time of economic crisis… and the recipient of the public largesse in question is none other than Florida supermarket giant Publix (“Ft. Myers in no shape to give Publix rent break,” 8/28/09).

It seems that Publix — which is “ranked No. 10 on Forbes’ 2008 list of America’s Largest Private Companies and is the largest (privately held company) in Florida” — has been receiving free rent at a new downtown Ft. Myers location for two years now, at the rate of $50,000 per month. Now the company is looking to keep the taxpayer money flowing its way for another two years, for a total of another $1.15 million. We’ll let Mr.Cook take it from here:

“Fort Myers is broke, yet the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency may forgive Publix two more years of rent, which, based on the past two years, amounts to $1.15 million.

For those keeping score, Publix on West First Street was forgiven five years of rent two years ago when it opened.

A rent-free extension is preposterous – even for Fort Myers officials.

‘From the beginning, the free rent was offensive,’ says Councilman Warren Wright.

Why is a city $400 million in debt not charging rent to a for-profit grocery chain?…” read the column in its entirety here

It seems the sweetheart deal was struck to lure Publix to open a store in the downtown area of Ft. Myers as a means to encourage the neighborhood’s further economic development. But according to the News-Press story, there is no indication that the downtown Publix is struggling, especially after Publix closed a nearby store the company had apparently promised to keep open:

“… While the CRA ponders Publix rent, resident Timothy Jones gives it food for thought.

‘I don’t think Publix is hurting,’ says Jones, who owns property next door on Clifford Street. ‘They’re getting the old customers from the Cleveland Avenue location plus more from downtown.’

Jones says public money should not be used to sustain a failing business.

‘I find it hard to believe this store is not profitable,’ he says. ‘The parking lot is full. Where is the evidence? The City Council should demand proof. Would they take my word if I was asking for a million bucks?’

Wright also reminds folks Publix speaks with a forked tongue.

‘They promised the Publix on Cleveland Avenue wouldn’t close, but it did,’ Wright says. ‘If they don’t make enough money, they will pull out of the new one, too. Whatever happened to capitalism?”’

Tough questions for the company known as the “neighborhood grocer”.

The questions may only get tougher when the Community Redevelopment Agency takes this into consideration…