Make Michigan One Big Renaissance Zone For two decades, governments around the country have been experimenting with so-called "enterprise zones," government-selected areas or projects that are singled out for special tax breaks and reductions. Michigan state government has selected 24 such areas, known as "renaissance zones." But if tax relief can boost economic development for a targeted area, why not lower taxes across the board for all areas of the state?
The Next Energy Boondoggle? Promoting energy R&D in Michigan does not require yet another government bureaucracy allocating favors to select firms. Privatization of state and federal research programs may make Michigan the economic powerhouse the governor envisions.
A Tale of Two Sporting Goods Stores Why should Cabela's Retail Inc., a national sporting goods retailer, receive state subsidies to set up shop in Michigan when competitor Jay's Sporting Goods has been faithfully serving Michigan's outdoor enthusiasts since 1968 - without taking a dime of taxpayer money?
Michigan State Industries Needs Competitive Contracting Michigan State Industries is modeled loosely along the lines of Federal Prison Industries. Both programs employ cheap prison labor in the production of goods made for government bureaucracies. In Michigan, lawmakers should allow prisons to contract out their labor to private firms.
If You Build It, They Won't Come The Michigan Economic Development Corporation has promised $1 million to the Northside Association for Community Development (NACD), a neighborhood association that wants to build a grocery store. Why? So the NACD can boldly go where three have failed before.
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