The Case Against Targeting Might Have Been More...Targeted

Abstract

This article reviews Terry Buss’s analysis of economic development targeting. Targeting is an effort by economic developers to focus investment on industries, facilities, and companies based on the assumption that the chosen targets are likely to yield the greatest return in public benefit. It covers many issues such as the quality of data used for targeting, whether targeting is antimarket, and the relationship between targeting and incentive use. The article notes that, although Buss makes some valid arguments, many of his conclusions are not well founded. It critiques many of Buss’s arguments and demonstrates why targeting remains a valid practice for economic development professionals.