The N&R takes a look at the 51 ideas submitted to get Gboro’s economy rolling again, one of which will net the mastermind $1 million.
Note the comment from UNCG economics prof Andrew Brod, with whom I agree on practically nothing:
“It still implies that the concept behind the program is you have to dangle $1 million in front of people in order to get the best economic development idea,” Brod said. “That continues to be the strangest thing about this in my opinion.
“This program believes that economic development isn’t about doing the hard work in investing in infrastructure and education, but instead it’s about getting that magical idea.”
Brod said it’s fine to use cash prizes to encourage ideas for local communities. But he said as little as $250,000 might do the trick.
Speak volumes that Dr. Brod –who, based frequent his comments over at Ed Cone’s blog, believes government does little wrong —holds such a view. Large number of community -oriented nonprofits looking to revitalize neighborhoods, leverage the colleges and universities or improve transportation infrastructure. In other words, nothing gov’t hasn’t already tried, at least on the face of it; I’ll give these individuals the benefit of the doubt and hope maybe they’ve got something different.
Except for the guy proposing —you guessed it —a commuter rail line. That one’s been done. And done, and done….
