Granite Construction’s proposed Liberty Quarry would help refill California’s depleted coffers, pouring millions of dollars into state and local governments and helping to fund the struggling California State Teachers Retirement System.
The nearly bankrupt Golden State is facing a $20 billion budget shortfall in the next fiscal year, and state leaders are scrambling to bolster California’s plummeting revenue streams. The Liberty Quarry project, a proposed rocks-and-gravel operation that is nearing completion of its Final Environmental Impact Report, would help fuel the state’s economy and add jobs in Riverside County.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-CA) in his May 14 budget revision called for the approval of large-scale projects in California in order to get taxes and fees flowing into the state’s budget.
“Granite Construction could deliver $350 million in state and local tax revenues from our Liberty Quarry project,” said Gary Johnson, aggregate resource manager for Granite, in a written statement. “These monies would come on top of the high-paying jobs and other positive economic benefits the quarry would deliver.”
The proposed 414-acre quarry in unincorporated Riverside County, south of Temecula, is expected to be reviewed by the Riverside County Planning Commission this year. The County released the Draft EIR last year and is expected to issue the Final EIR this summer.
“It’s frustrating that Granite is prepared to help when so many skilled people are out of work and our state is in such a serious economic crisis,” Johnson said.
Liberty Quarry is projected to generate $6 million in annual state sales tax and more than $2 million annually for Riverside County. The quarry would also create about 300 high-paying jobs, including 99 onsite positions.
