Relocation Subsidies: Regional Growth Policy or Corporate Welfare?
Author(s)
Vogel, Richard M.
Abstract
Relocation subsidies in the form of property tax abatements, subsidized construction bonds, or the outright provision of land, buildings, and other services, are being offered in increasing frequency as a lure to keep old firms from moving out of a city or region as well as to attract new firms and industry into the region. For a community, these incentives are typically a strategic response to the issue of retaining and creating jobs against the threat of firms locating or relocating to competing communities.