The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce deserves a bit of praise and some gentle prodding now they have realized higher education budget woes affect more than just NIU.

Chamber members, such as President Tim Lehan, are at last coming to grips with the fact less funding for NIU will mean less revenue for local businesses. It is estimated off-campus students inject more than $50 million into the local economy. And a decrease in funding leads to fewer students and fewer dollars for local merchants.

Praise is in order for members such as Lehan and Mario Fontana. Lehan said he would ask legislators to support a tax hike, Fontana said he will write legislators, asking them to support it. Both realize such an increase will, in the long run, be an investment in DeKalb’s future as well as NIU’s.

As NIU President John LaTourette points out to Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Lester Brann, a tax increase is the only viable solution to the funding problem. LaTourette is right when he says that low taxes are not the only component of a favorable economic climate. Other factors, such as a strong public education system and available research facilities and job training programs are essential to attracting business and fostering economic growth.

Higher taxes, although outwardly unattractive to local residents and businesses, create a situation where the whole economic picture is much brighter. A perfect example would be the construction and maintenance positions available if more state funding allows NIU to go ahead with the Faraday addition and the Faraday II construction.

Now the chamber has realized the necessity of a tax increase, some gentle prodding is in order to turn Lehan’s and Fontana’s encouraging words into actions. All DeKalb chamber members need to be encouraged to support the tax increase. By showing their support, members will be sending the message to Springfield that they want to invest in their area’s long-term future.

Despite its traditionally negative connotations, a tax increase would be an incredible boon to the DeKalb area. To NIU, it would mean increased funding, admitting more students and conducting more research. To DeKalb, it would mean more immediate revenue and a more attractive appearance to businesses seeking to locate in the Midwest.

It is essential NIU and DeKalb work together to make for the best possible future for the area.