Sign of the times: More local incentives Sunday, January 11, 2004 Here's another example of how incentives are accelerating. Commissioners in Guilford County have agreed to increase the local incentives they offer to companies. The commissioners are making the change to attract a Belgian floor covering manufacturer. Under the former policy, the proposed $80 million investment would generate $1.7 million in local incentives. Under the new policy, incentives will increase to $2.85 million, an increase of 68%. Read more. The impulse to increase incentives is a dangerous trend. The dynamic of global economic development is shifting to brainpower and innovation. Local governments need to make targeted investments. Looser incentive policies don't meet this challenge. Smart communities are going to start making investments to build brainpower. For example, in New Hampshire, the governor has launched a pilot program to provide laptop computers to middle school students. (The program costs about $1.3 million for 640 computers and software, or $2,031 per student.) The New Hampshire program is based on a similar program in Maine that has been very successful. In Maine, schools have seen an increase in student grades and a decrease in absenteeism, tardiness and disciplinary measures. Learn more about the New Hampshire pilot. Go. Learn more about the Maine program Go. posted by Ed Morrison |		This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. links Some Background on EDPro Weblog The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it. One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information. So, spread the word...Share the knowledge. Tell a friend about EDPro Weblog. If you are using a news reader, here is the link to syndicate this site: Here's the link if you are a bloglines subscriber: Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking. Background on Ed Morrison Download some background information on me here.

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