> Google is promising to bring 50 full-time positions to the area. The company also projects that it will create 2,300 jobs during the 18–24 month construction window.
Is this a joke?
> State Sen. Andrew Mathews (R–Milaca) and state Rep. Shane Mekeland (R–Clear Lake) recently introduced a bill to provide an additional $20.1 million in state bonds to give the Becker Business Park—where the data center would be built—a facelift.
So, invest 1 million in politicians get tens of millions from the public treasury.
> Such incentives are typically justified by politicians as a crucial way to stimulate the economy.
Probably their own personal economies.
There are reasons to give corporations tax breaks. Like for example to expand green energy or to give jobs to people in risk of exclusion, or another hundred reasons. But, it looks like now it is used for everything without any real justification beyond "the company will bring business to the town". That can be covered by any kind of business willing to pay for lobbying and that does not present any social benefit. And it is a zero-sum game where another town loses the possibility for you to gain it. It is hardly a justifiable situation.
Is this a joke?
> State Sen. Andrew Mathews (R–Milaca) and state Rep. Shane Mekeland (R–Clear Lake) recently introduced a bill to provide an additional $20.1 million in state bonds to give the Becker Business Park—where the data center would be built—a facelift.
So, invest 1 million in politicians get tens of millions from the public treasury.
> Such incentives are typically justified by politicians as a crucial way to stimulate the economy.
Probably their own personal economies.
There are reasons to give corporations tax breaks. Like for example to expand green energy or to give jobs to people in risk of exclusion, or another hundred reasons. But, it looks like now it is used for everything without any real justification beyond "the company will bring business to the town". That can be covered by any kind of business willing to pay for lobbying and that does not present any social benefit. And it is a zero-sum game where another town loses the possibility for you to gain it. It is hardly a justifiable situation.