Delta Camshaft is leaving the state of Washington after nearly five decades in business. Owner Jon Bodwell is citing rising crime, high taxes, and a worsening political climate as the primary reasons for the move. The family-owned company was originally founded in 1977.
The financial burden has become so severe that Bodwell has been forced to live inside his business. He told Fox News that the cost of operating in the state is simply too high to sustain. "A majority of it is the constant battle with the city over the graffiti and the crime stuff here, the constant massive tax increase, everything is increasing," Bodwell said.
The manufacturer noted that utility and insurance costs are skyrocketing by large increments rather than small percentages. His insurance recently surged by 20 percent while power bills continue to climb. "The cost of power, the cost of insurance, everything is increasing by large increments," Bodwell explained.
Delta Camshaft specializes in manufacturing and repairing camshafts for various engines. The company clarified on its website that it is not closing but is relocating to continue serving its customers. Bodwell expects the move to cost upwards of $100,000, though he believes the investment will pay off in a better environment.
Crime has become a central issue for the business owner in recent years. Bodwell noted that his insurance policy on the building has skyrocketed because crime is running rampant. He claimed that local officers have told him it takes longer to write a report than it does to arrest a perpetrator. "The criminals basically have more protective rights than I do as the building owner," Bodwell stated.
The situation in Washington reflects a broader trend of businesses fleeing the area. Seattle was recently ranked as the fourth-worst large city for total crime in the United States. Bodwell observed that there are now many buildings for sale in downtown Tacoma because so many people are leaving.
A recent survey found that 44 percent of Washington business leaders are currently considering moving their personal residences out of state. Businesses are also now more than twice as likely to expand outside of Washington than within it. Many point to the new millionaires tax, signed by Governor Bob Ferguson, as a major factor in the exodus.
The millionaires tax represents the first-ever income tax for the state of Washington. Progressives pushed the measure through the legislature while conservatives warned it would damage the local economy. The new tax has sparked concerns from various industries, including professional sports teams.
Bodwell expressed regret that he cannot do more to change the direction of his home state. He noted that if he were younger and in better health, he would consider running for office. "If I was in my younger years, if I was in my mid-20s or 30s, I would go into politics to stop what's occurring now," Bodwell said.