Pressures on the Texas Enterprise Fund

Some Texans are saying that the Texas Enterprise Fund should be better guided in the future. I interpret that to mean they are looking for greater signs of accountability and performance measurement. More here.

State and local incentives programs--everywhere--can stand to improve in this arena. Too many marinally significant projects receive support, only because the money is there and any company meeting the loose criteria used can tap the money. That's not right.

Incentives are under increased scrutiny nationwide. Trust me. Economic development professionals and their leaders should be paying a lot more attention to making these programs performance-based and aligning them with their strategic plans. I am not aiming this advice solely at the Texas program, rather I believe all managers and keepers of these funds need to make improvements.