Bush Administration Says Private Sector Should Do Rebuilding in Iraq

Not only is the UN feeling snubbed in the Iraqi rebuilding effort, but so are the many nongovernmental organizations (NGO) that often play a role in this arena. According to the LA Times, "the U.S. Agency for International Development is expected to rely almost exclusively on for-profit corporations to rebuild Iraq's social institutions, angering nonprofit organizations that claim they can do the work more effectively."

This will be one to watch. Can you imagine if some version of the same approach was adopted in state and local economic development across America? Talk about a radical shift in the economic development paradigm? Is this possible? Probably not, but it might be worthwhile to explore some new strategies to mobilize the private marketplace in accomplishing our economic development goals. Add that to your radical thinking pile.

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