Part 4/13:
An incredible paradox arises when cities incentivize these giants through tax breaks and other financial perks, believing the influx of big box stores will bolster tax revenues. However, a single big box store may generate significant tax bills yet ultimately pays less per acre than smaller, existing businesses. Research demonstrates that properties in dense, mixed-use downtown areas yield tax revenues exponentially greater than sprawling suburban big boxes, thus costing municipalities more in infrastructure maintenance and service provision than they gain.