Gander Launching Campaign Vs Cabela's IN Incentives

According to nwitimes.com, a PR firm connected to Gander Mountain sent Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels and top officials at the Indiana Economic Development Corp. (IEDC) a report titled, "Leveling the Playing Field: Making the Case for Limiting Government Incentives for Retail Development."

The report was paid for by Oppidan, a Minnesota investment company that is the exclusive developer for Gander stores, the report stated.

A spokeswoman for Ewald Consulting, the Minnesota public relations firm that wrote the report, said it also has been distributed to officials in Illinois, where Cabela's has plans for a store in north suburban Hoffman Estates. Hammond officials received the same report before a vote on the Cabela's plan last fall.

Gander Mountain has not ask for incentives like those the IEDC is negotiating with Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops even though it has five doors in the state.

The report connected with Gander Mountain suggests that Indiana lawmakers might consider legislation to eliminate retail subsidies such as STIF. The Gander Mountain report includes a "case study" of Owatonna, MN, the site where Cabela's opened its third retail store in '98. The report questions whether taxpayers got a fair return on the $4.5 million in financing put up by state and local government. It also challenges the "destination retail: description Cabela's gives itself, pointing out the company now has plans for another store 90 miles away in Rogers, nwitimes said.

Meanwhile, Hammond, IN's mayor said Cabela's complained to him there is no communication between the chain and IEDC. Cabela's also complained it has never been treated as badly as in Indiana, the mayor said.