State Development Directors Debate

The chief development officials of Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana agree that companies shouldn't pit the neighboring states against each another to gain lucrative tax giveaways. Still, they acknowledge that the two states have no plans to halt such practices or cooperate more closely on specific corporate prospects.

"I doubt we'll get to the point where we'll work together on individual projects," Ohio Department of Development Director Bruce Johnson said Tuesday during the International Economic Development Council convention in Cincinnati.

Will Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky be more willing to share information in the future about development projects? Tim Monger, executive director of the Indiana Department of Commerce, doubts the three states would share information on competing projects.

Here is a question I would pose to the three state development directors: "Would you be willing to launch a joint initiative that advances strategic industries that your states share in common, such as automotive?" I think this would make a lot of sense, especially in light of the stiff competition the Midwest is now getting from southern states for automotive deals. Maybe that is one to think about.

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