Chapter 85 Five-Year Tax Exemption

"Regarding the plan... Well, there aren't many plans, and I'm not someone with grand ambitions. Currently, the plan is just to try to convince Trifelli to send some people over to open a repair shop or something at my place, and then see if we can get Mr. Jones involved as well.

"If Mr. Jones also joins in, then this small commercial area will have everything it needs: a crucial restaurant, repair shop, convenient supermarket, gas station! It may be small, but it's well-rounded. As for the future, I haven't really thought about it in detail, I just hope the businesses there thrive so the nearby land becomes valuable, and I can start collecting rent to recoup my investment."

Facing Mayor "Rob", Carter showed no signs of nervousness, wearing a calm and gentle smile as he spoke. Even in Douglas, with its strong mayor system, American mayors were just that.

You could call them chief executives, or, less flatteringly, professional city managers. Offending them didn't yield any benefits and might even lead to them giving you a hard time, but fearing or feeling nervous around them? That was unnecessary!

"Hahaha, regardless of the size of your ambitions, at least in you, I see something my old friend Blake didn't have. Carter, you're more adaptable than him! If old Blake were still around, he definitely wouldn't do what you're doing. He'd just stubbornly focus on those debtors, popping by their doors every few days asking, 'Hey? Got money? You got money yet? Friend.'"

Rob playfully imitated what old Blake might have done, eliciting a hearty laugh from Carter.

Real or fake, neither of them cared; as long as the atmosphere warmed up, it was fine! From the perspective of building rapport and livening things up, Rob was doing a pretty good job. If an actual 16-year-old kid were here and saw such an approachable mayor, they'd probably be so delighted they'd lose their bearings. Thinking of this, as Carter, with his eyes slightly narrowed from laughter, looked at Mayor Rob across from him, he subtly raised a bit of caution.

As the saying goes, "Beware of Greeks bearing gifts." No, wait, it was "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Regardless, Carter couldn't help but be wary of what Mayor Rob might want.

"This is great, really great. The only constant in this world is change, and everything changes. Just like what we're about to face next."

"What are we facing?" Carter's heart tightened slightly as he continued to listen to Mayor Rob's words, contemplating how to politely decline while pretending to be curious.

"A friend from Washington recently called me and mentioned something. Our President Carter went to see Volcker the day before yesterday and came back to the White House in a huff. What do you think that's about?"

"Because they had a conflict? But wasn't Volcker just recently appointed by the President?"

Carter blinked innocently, pretending to be clueless.

What would a President want with the Fed Chairman? Considering the current situation, anyone could guess it was about monetary issues. Next year was the election year, and if you left your voters with no money to even buy bread, who would vote for you?

However, Carter didn't say this; instead, he pretended to be naive and curious. But with Carter's clumsy acting, how could he fool a seasoned politician like Mayor Benjamin?

"You're right! Although Volcker was appointed by the President, they still had a conflict. The root cause of the conflict probably lies in the issue of monetary supply. Given Volcker's character, he definitely supports tightening the money supply. But as for our President, who knows what he's thinking!"

Seeing Carter pretending to be innocent and obedient in front of him, Mayor Benjamin's expression remained unchanged. But when he mentioned Jimmy Carter, Mayor Benjamin's face immediately became extremely awkward.

That kind of awkward expression was all too familiar to Carter! To describe it with a future slang term, it was like saying "I have a WTF that I don't know whether to say or not."

If any other President encountered a "troublemaker" like Volcker, who was "biting the hand that feeds him" by trying to tighten the money supply during a crucial election year, they would definitely kick this guy out without hesitation.

Not to mention that you were the one who promoted him in the first place. Just thinking about the upcoming critical election year, if your actions led to unemployment rates skyrocketing...

Could you have a good ending?

"In any case, we need to be prepared to face the adverse effects of monetary tightening. Carter, have more cash in the bank, buy more weapons at home, and prepare for deteriorating public security. Additionally, regarding your highway commercial area, I hope it can develop as soon as possible! It should provide as many job opportunities as possible!

"I'm the Mayor of Douglas, and I'm responsible for this city. Currently, Douglas doesn't have enough businesses or shops to attract outside funds. If the situation deteriorates, it'll be hard for Douglas to weather the storm with its current scale. But your commercial area plan is different. If it's done well, it'll attract external funds!

"Every bit we earn will mean a lower unemployment rate for Douglas in the future! Carter, you're carrying a heavy burden right now, and I, representing the city government, fully support your commercial area construction. So, I'm granting you a five-year tax exemption! I'll give you the local tax exemption documents later; I'll do my best to help you with state and federal taxes.

"Furthermore, anything your commercial area needs that we can help with as the city government, don't hesitate to ask! If it's doable, I'll definitely help you!"