Small businesses are the heart of Chariton County’s economy and community life. From R&R Apple Market in Salisbury to Sam Johnson’s Appliances & Furniture in Brunswick, these local entrepreneurs create jobs, provide essential services, and keep our economy vibrant. Yet despite their vital role, Missouri’s tax policies continue to reward giant corporate chains like Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe’s with generous tax breaks and subsidies.
Although these big box stores may not have a physical presence in Chariton County, the state-level tax incentives they receive distort the marketplace, putting small businesses here at a severe disadvantage. It’s time for Missouri to take a stand: end unfair corporate tax breaks, increase taxes on big box stores at the state level, and redirect those resources to support our local entrepreneurs.
Why Do Big Box Stores Receive Tax Breaks — And Why It’s Harmful
Large retailers such as Walmart and Lowe’s often receive significant tax breaks from Missouri’s state government and local municipalities. These incentives include property tax abatements, sales tax exemptions on equipment, and reduced business taxes — designed to attract or retain these corporations.
However, across Missouri, the cumulative effect of these tax breaks is troubling. According to the Missouri Department of Revenue, retail trade is one of the largest sectors in the state’s economy, yet many major chains pay effective tax rates well below smaller competitors. While these incentives may bring jobs to some parts of the state, they also:
- Drain tax revenues needed statewide to fund schools, roads, and public safety
- Undermine small businesses that pay full taxes and sustain local employment
- Encourage retail consolidation that reduces economic diversity and community character
For Chariton County’s small businesses — which form the backbone of our local economy — this dynamic is especially harmful. Our county’s retail trade supports hundreds of jobs at family-owned stores and service providers. But when Missouri’s tax policies allow large chains to operate with an unfair advantage elsewhere, it creates ripple effects that challenge our local entrepreneurs.
Fairness Means Ending Special Privileges for Big Corporations
Some argue these tax breaks are necessary to keep big retailers from relocating to other states or expanding unchecked. But this “race to the bottom” benefits no one in Missouri in the long run. When communities and the state compete by offering ever-larger corporate subsidies, it erodes the overall tax base and hurts services that benefit everyone.
Increasing taxes on big box stores and eliminating their special tax breaks statewide would restore fairness. It would level the playing field so small businesses — including those right here in Chariton County — which create more jobs per dollar earned and reinvest more money locally, can compete and thrive.
Local Businesses That Could Thrive with Fair Tax Policies
If Missouri redirects tax incentives from big box retailers to support small businesses, it would directly benefit many hardworking local businesses that form the backbone of Chariton County’s economy, such as:
- R&R Apple Market in Salisbury, a family-owned grocery store providing fresh produce and essentials to residents.
- Salisbury Meat Market & Processing, a trusted local source for quality meats, supporting area farmers and customers alike.
- Sanders Decorating and Design in Salisbury, offering unique home décor and personalized design services that bring character and warmth to local homes.
- Salisbury Mattress Store, providing mattresses and recliners with hometown service and expert advice.
- Gordon Building Center in Salisbury, supplying lumber and building materials with expert local knowledge and personalized service.
- Upriver Urban Exchange / UpRiver Home & Gifts in Brunswick, a local favorite for gifts and home décor with a personal touch.
- Grand River Marketplace in Brunswick, a community gathering place offering gifts, baked goods, and lunch options — a true local hub.
- Sam Johnson’s Appliances & Furniture in Brunswick, supplying essential appliances and furniture while supporting local customers with attentive service.
These businesses don’t just sell products — they employ neighbors, sponsor community events, and keep money circulating in Chariton County’s economy. Supporting them instead of subsidizing out-of-state corporate chains means investing in a more vibrant, resilient local economy that benefits everyone.
What If Big Box Stores Leave Missouri?
Some worry that increasing taxes or removing incentives could drive big box stores out of Missouri altogether. But this is a risk worth taking. If Walmart, Lowe’s, or Home Depot leave or reduce their presence, it creates opportunities for dozens of small businesses statewide to fill the gap — businesses that are more rooted in their communities and more likely to invest locally.
Experience in other states shows that when corporate chains exit or shrink, local entrepreneurs step up, creating a more diverse and resilient economy. Furthermore, small retailers typically pay higher wages relative to their size and provide personalized services that build lasting customer loyalty. This creates jobs that stay within communities like Chariton County and help families thrive.
Why Conservatives Should Support Ending Corporate Tax Breaks
Many conservatives champion free markets, low taxes, and limited government intervention. However, true free markets require fairness and equal opportunity — not special privileges for the biggest players.
When corporations like Walmart receive tax breaks that mom-and-pop stores can’t access, the market is distorted. It’s not truly free competition when one side is subsidized by taxpayers while the other struggles to survive.
By ending corporate tax breaks and increasing taxes on large retailers at the state level, conservatives can support a marketplace where small businesses have a real chance — where success is earned, not bought.
This approach aligns with conservative values of:
- Economic freedom and fair competition
- Supporting family businesses and local entrepreneurship
- Preserving community identity and local control
- Building a sustainable, self-reliant local economy
Simplifying Taxes: Eliminating Personal Property Tax, State Sales Taxes, and Income Taxes
In addition to ending corporate giveaways, Missouri should consider eliminating personal property tax, state sales taxes, and income taxes — three distinct types of taxes that disproportionately burden individuals and small businesses.
By removing the state portion of sales taxes while allowing local sales taxes to remain, the state can reduce the overall tax burden without cutting vital funding for local governments. Replacing these taxes with targeted incentives and a fairer, simpler tax structure would encourage investment, increase consumer spending, and reduce complexity for small businesses.
What This Means for Chariton County’s Future
Ending big box store tax breaks at the state level and redirecting funds to small business incentives is a bold step, but a necessary one. It means:
- More local jobs with better wages
- Stronger community ties and services
- Increased local tax revenue to fund schools, infrastructure, and safety
- A more diverse and resilient local economy
Chariton County has a proud tradition of self-reliance and community spirit. It’s time Missouri’s tax policies reflect those values — by supporting the small businesses that truly make our county and state strong.
Let’s stand together to build a fairer, more prosperous Missouri — one where small businesses aren’t just surviving but thriving.
