California is in a crushing debt crisis with a $19 billion deficit that looks to get worse in the near future.  Gov. Schwarzenegger outlined the state’s financial woes in his May budget revision speech, recommending deep cuts to welfare, health and other social programs to balance the budget.

To make matters worse, the state’s largest publicly funded pension plan, CalPERS, recently voted to raise the state's annual contribution to the pension fund by $600 million in the upcoming fiscal year. Thankfully, in Riverside County, there’s a business in the private sector poised to bring some financial relief.

Granite Construction, a mining and construction company and industry leader, has proposed a quarry located near the Riverside County-San Diego County line off Interstate 15 specializing in supplying concrete and asphalt materials.

If approved, Liberty Quarry could become a lucrative source of jobs and tax revenue for the region, which is struggling to dig itself out of a financial hole as the state freely raids funds from public agencies to make ends meet.

Riverside County alone is losing nearly $34 million in redevelopment funds over the next two years to the state. At a time when tax revenues are dwindling, government deficits are growing and companies are leaving the state, Riverside County needs to find ways to attract and support businesses and infuse our depleted coffers with new revenue.

Liberty Quarry would be a much-needed boost for our hard-hit region. The 155-acre quarry would provide economic benefits that include $300 million in new sales tax revenue as well as $41 million in new property taxes and fees. Additionally, the project would generate approximately $8.5 million in annual taxes for the state and Riverside County combined.

Support Liberty Quarry’s bid to bring economic relief to the state and region. For more information about the company, visit www.graniteconstruction.com.

For a complete copy of technical reports or any other questions about the Liberty Quarry project please contact the Liberty Quarry offices at 951-304-9283 or visit www.libertyquarryfacts.com become a supporter.