New Jersey Bound?
Even under the great Gov. Chris Christie, my home state the People's Republic of New Jersey has a long way to go before it can be considered competitive with the rest of America. But if these stories from Chicago are true, to get Sears we may only need to be better than Illinois. How hard can that be?
Sears is reportedly considering several states, including New Jersey, to relocate its headquarters from Hoffman Estates, Ill., where it moved to cut costs in 1992 when it left the Sears Tower in downtown Chicago.
Both the Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald of suburban Chicago reported yesterday that New Jersey was among the states Sears officials are considering. The others reportedly are Ohio, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Georgia.
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Jul '10
Re: New Jersey Bound?
There are few industries with lower profit margins than retailing; it's a cut-throat business. Given Illinois' tax increases on businesses, it would be a breach of fiduciary duty for Sears' management not to seriously consider moving. And moving a corporate headquarters is a breeze, compared to moving a manufacturing facility.
But I doubt they'd move to New Jersey, which is hardly a low-tax, business friendly state. They'd be more likely to move to a sunny right-to-work state, with lower taxes and lower housing costs for their employees.
Re: New Jersey Bound?
They ought to move to Indiana.
May '10
Re: New Jersey Bound?
Which only goes to show what a basketcase Michigan must be after eight years of Jennifer Granholm. Sears, of course, merged with Troy-based K-mart in 2005. Even with a new Republican governor Michigan is not in the race to return the company to the state?
Re: New Jersey Bound?
I think you out-of-staters are just philosophy pre-disposed to discount the charms of the state that has given America Snooki and the Sopranos.
Jul '10
Re: New Jersey Bound?
Oh, for cryin' out loud, Bill, you just had to go and push all of Tommy De Seno's buttons at once, didn't you?
As a native Down Jerseyman, I hope that Sears avoids the economically successful part of the state, and moves into the truly impoverished southern half. I believe the RCA building in Camden is available. Also, I think, the Campbell's building.
Apr '11
Re: New Jersey Bound?
Nice try, Bill. But we all know Snooki's from New York.
As for me, just a few months ago I moved from the People's Republic of New Jersey to the Democratic People's Paradise of California, so what the hell do I know? Maybe Sears should move to my original home state of Texas.
Nov '10
Re: New Jersey Bound?
Bill, our fair state can't compete with Texas on any metric other than "proximity to New York City." James Jones: what were you thinking!? Unless you were from (shudder) Austin...
Jun '10
Re: New Jersey Bound?
"Bill, our fair state can't compete with Texas on any metric other than "proximity to New York City."
Huh? Spectaular beaches. Beautiful mountains & forests. Change of seasons. The NJPAC. Crossroads of the Revolution and all the wonderful history that entails. Highly educated population & loads of high-tech industry (that Christie will help keep here.) Diversity -- not just of people but urban to suburban to rural.
Sure, we have the Mob and the smelly NJ Turnpike and 600+ union-controlled school districts and legendary political shennanagans and Camden.....but we are still the Garden State. I think there is more good packed into our tiny state than any other.