Logan mayor disputes Costco figures and incentive reasons put forth by opponent

Proposed property for Costco at Blue Spring business park on 10th West.

LOGAN — There is a mayoral primary in Logan – three candidates will be whittled down to two on August 10th.  One of the two challengers to incumbent Holly Daines is local businessman R. Lowell Huber.

On KVNU’s For the People program on Monday, he explained what prompted him to run.

“I’ve been in business in Logan for 44 years and I’ve watched a steady decline in the last few years of overspending and not achieving and crazy zoning and (other) practices that are obviously from out-of-state, from California areas and what-not. They’re not treating our area as though it is a desert, which it is. They’re just not using common sense,” he said.

Huber said he wants to bring common sense back to government, saying less government is better government.

He criticized the city giving tax incentives to Costco, proposed in the area near 1000 West/ 1000 North.  Huber explained local small business owners who have survived over the last 30 years have done so because of the loyalty of their customers and because the business has taken care of and listened to their customers.

“And obviously corporate America doesn’t do that and unfortunately, we already have two Walmarts and we have a Sams Club. We don’t need a Costco, and if Costco wants to come that’s their prerogative, it’s a free society. But we do not need to give them $14.5 million of taxpayers’ money coming out of small businessmen to pay for the giant to come put you out of business. That makes no sense to me, whatsoever.”

Incumbent Logan mayor Holly Daines contacted KVNU and Cache Valley Daily.com late Tuesday to stress that the city did not give Costco $14.5 million dollars in incentives.  “We provided the developer of the property $1.4 million (dollars) for road infrastructure and we have agreed to waive impact fees for COSTCO, which we estimate will be $800(thousand) to  $1(million dollars),”  Daines said.

Huber said if residents want to know more about him and his campaign they can reach him at 435-764-8032. He  said he will pick up the phone.

Candidate profiles will continue leading up to the primary next week. Another candidate and local businessman, Dee Jones, will be on KVNU’s For the People on Tuesday.

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10 Comments

  • MC Christian Jacobs August 2, 2021 at 11:59 pm Reply

    14 and a half million dollars? Is this an editorial typo, or is Jones that disconnected from reality?

    • MC Christian Jacobs August 3, 2021 at 12:00 am Reply

      Sorry, Huber. Jones likes to say similarly false numbers, so I got them confused.

      • See Jones August 3, 2021 at 9:37 am Reply

        Really?

    • Tim August 3, 2021 at 10:03 pm Reply

      Wow… you’re kind of incompetent. You get numbers wrong, you are blind to the growth that small businesses can’t support (but those loyal to them will still shop there and they will be supported to survive), you clearly have an insurmountable ineptitude with business you claim to be a part of for the better part of 4 decades and can’t see how this competition to the Sam Walton corporation will strengthen the market in Cache County, the tax revenue generated from Costco alone will help with strangled infrastructure if you jokers use it right, and part of me thinks that your statement about the two Walmart’s & Sam’s club means you have some form of vested interest in both. I’m all for smaller government, but you clearly don’t know what you’re talking about… if I lived in Logan city limits and voted for one of you 3, you sir would not be my choice.

  • D. Smart August 3, 2021 at 7:49 am Reply

    Huber is a complete sham. How can he be described as a local businessman? Great job Huber on doing nothing with the municipool building – except creating a total junk site. Throws around idiotic statements without factual evidence. Tell us please Huber which out-of-state policies from CA can you even list other than a catchy phrase sound bite. You sir are the complete picture of what is wrong with Logan – look around sir and pull your head out. We need businesses like Costco here. You state loyalty so what are you worried about Costco? This valley needs more tax generation from such businesses to support the growth that is already come to the valley. Huber is the best example of everything wrong with this city.

  • Keegan August 3, 2021 at 9:42 am Reply

    Huber said $14.5M. Actual allocation from the RDA for the Blue Spring business park (Costco project) is closer to $2M. Initially $500k, then another $1.4M at a later meeting.

  • Rusty August 3, 2021 at 6:16 pm Reply

    There is only one walmart in logan. Learn your boarders

  • Anne T Dote August 3, 2021 at 6:25 pm Reply

    Your numbers are all over the place as are you, sir. The fact of the matter is that we don’t like the quality of goods that comes from Sam’s Club or Walmart. Everyone knows it’s a cheap knockoff of Costco and no, I’m not referring to prices. Bring in good quality businesses like Costco and see how it betters your community. Logan is growing rapidly; it’s time to wake up.
    Sorry Huber.. you know nothing about common sense.

  • Carl Stettler August 3, 2021 at 8:37 pm Reply

    Well, I have been a member of Costco for a long time in both states. More patrons will be coming in from the tri-state areas Costco will service and not in this Cache Valley alone. Most of them are farmers and ranchers that will come in for a month or two supply of stuff they can live on.

  • Sean tash February 13, 2022 at 10:29 am Reply

    It is the time for Logan Utah a fast-growing city to join the rest of civilized world. the nearest Costco is in Ogden which is over 50 miles from us. We need Costco to get out of the Walmart’s tyranny and price gauging. I hope having a Costco will bring Walmart to their senses and act accordingly.

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