Reining in the Competition for Capital [Paperback]

Ann R. Markusen (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0880992956 | ISBN-13: 978-0880992954 | Publication Date: March 30, 2007

This book explores the causes, character, and potential remedies for the growing spatial competition for capital. Its diverse group of contributors present a broad set of workable reforms including: regulation of site consultants; mandated transparency in negotiations, bids, and deals; better structured deals; performance requirements and clawbacks for subsidized firms; and adoption of united economic development budgets.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In her edited book Reining in the Competition for Capital, Ann Markusen continues her long tradition of presenting innovative insights into timely topics for local and regional development planners. She and her economic, political science, legal, and public-policy colleagues do an unusually commendable job of combining theoretical perspectives with policy solutions. They examine in detail the benefits and costs of financial and other incentives used to attract capital to local communities. As the competition for capital increases in intensity, this is a must read for those in local and regional planning who want to understand how they can compete effectively. The book is of tremendous value not only for U.S. economic development planners, but also for those in Europe and other countries with decentralized fiscal systems. I highly recommend it. --Karen R. Polenske, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ann Markusen has done it again. Capital is a provocative, comprehensive collection from an impressive range of experts only Markusen could have assembled. It is ideal for a course in economic development policy and well worth reading for practitioners and political leaders. I know of no other source that provides so much information and perspective on this contentious policy issue. --Andrew M. Isserman, University of Illinois

Markusen and her coauthors lay out the exorbitant costs--present and future--of out-of-control incentive competition, and provide a toolkit of workable strategies to restrain it. While widespread legislative and policy reforms are needed, our group of 57 mayors and city managers in the Cleveland area has recently pioneered no-poaching and tax revenue sharing agreements which prove that regional cooperation can work. Every state and local leader struggling with this issue should read this book. --Gary W. Starr, Mayor, and Charles Bichara, Director of Economic Development, Middleburg Heights, Ohio

About the Author

Ann Markusen is a professor in the urban and regional planning graduate program and director of the Project on Regional and Industrial Economics, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota.

Product Details

• Paperback: 215 pages
• Publisher: W E Upjohn Inst for (March 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0880992956
• ISBN-13: 978-0880992954
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,720,544 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)