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In a month’s time, Loudoun County will have to decide whether or not it wants in on Metro’s Silver Line extension. Depending on who you ask, at stake is either billions of dollars in economic development potential for the county or the county’s current low taxes and bucolic living.

Yesterday residents on both sides of the debate appeared at a hearing of the County Board of Supervisors to make their points, with Silver Line supporters saying that Metro’s extension beyond Dulles Airport would be a boon to the county’s economy while opponents argued that it would cost more than the county can afford.

A recent report found that if Loudoun County passes on the Silver Line, it could forgo tens of billions in potential economic expansion in coming decades; opponents say that Loudoun can’t afford the $200 million in construction costs and $11 million in annual operating costs. Additionally, they argue, without a bigger contribution from Virginia, funding would have to come from increasing tolls on the Dulles Toll Road. Reports WTOP:

Geoff Pohanka, president of the Pohanka Automotive Group, is among those who oppose the project. Funding for the Dulles Rail project relies heavily on revenues from the Dulles Toll Road, which worries Pohanka.

“The toll road access has really transformed this region. It’s a great place to live, shop and to work and I’m very concerned with rising tolls,” Pohanka says.

Pohanka fears few people will use the rail line, and tolls on the Dulles Toll Road will go “through the roof,” forcing drivers to stop using it.

“Local roads will become even more congested, fewer people will be able to afford to shop and work in our area, (and) businesses not able to attract workers or customers will leave,” Pohanka says.

Pohanka might have a more personal concern: more public transit means fewer drivers, which means less business for him.

Advocates on both sides of the fight have even broken out colors and symbolism to make their points: supporters of the Silver Line showed up yesterday wearing green, while opponents have the Tax Pig mascot on their side.

Loudoun County officials have until July 4 to make up their minds.