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Title: Re: [CPEO-BIF] Subsidies
Peter Meyer and I actually agree more than we disagree except with regard to the efficiency and wisdom of claw backs. I object to a non-market oriented approach that has no upside and that is subject to post-hoc second guessing that may result in discouraging optimum participation in the brownfield develoment process. Rather than clawbacks, why not borrow a page from the private sector and use a "risk sharing" approach to inventivize goal attainment, followed bt program evaluation and adjustment? For example, the public entity could award an amount to the developer for an amount with a clearly articulated and quantifiable negotiated goal which, if not met, requires some refund, and if exceeded, requires some bonus to the developer. That would be a rational arms length process that would encourage participation and disincentivise poor performance. Barry
-----Original Message-----
From: brownfields-bounces@list.cpeo.org <brownfields-bounces@list.cpeo.org>
To: 'Brownfields Internet Forum' <brownfields@list.cpeo.org>
Sent: Fri Oct 27 02:20:12 2006
Subject: Re: [CPEO-BIF] Subsidies
Having worked in local economic development for some 30 years and
brownfields for over a decade, I have to agree fully with Barry Trilling
on the ideal for determining what subsidies are appropriate. But I still
disagree with him completely on the real possibility of the calculation
being seriously undertaken at the local level. Thus some sort of ex-post
monitoring, holding recipients responsible for what they promise, is needed.
Sharon Barr accurately points out that, "... it is very hard to come up
with a perfect formula that also works in the dirty nitty-gritty world
of political influence and decisionmaking. One cannot underestimate the
role of politics in this arena ..." This is the reality. Her
observations echo academic research and informal narratives about
economic development practice that have been around for decades. The
public sector generally has to rely on the applicants for financial
support for the data it needs to assess their applications ... and it is
not realistic to assume that there will be no distortion of the
information provided in order to increase the chance of getitng funding.
The political pressures on local officials are actually more acute in
the case of brownfields than in 'normal' economic development. Efforts
to influence decisions come not merely from developers interested in
potential profits from brownfields, but also from neighborhoods and
community based organizations concerned for pollution abate and human
and environmental health risk reduction.
The possibility of deriving a single allocation formula for brownfield
support is further confounded relative to the grant of support for
traditional economic development efforts due to multiple objectives As
Sharon noted, traditional economic development has focused on jobs,
incomes, and property value increases, while brownfield redevelopment
efforts include additional objectives, including housing provision,
protection of human health, preservation of environmental conditions.
In light of these concerns, it is inappropriate for public policy to be
grounded wholly in a belief in the possibility of objectivity in subsidy
provision, or in calculations of public rates of return. Barry, and
others who have agrred with him, are correct that any retrospective look
back and imposition of accountability might discourage some developers
from engaging in some brownfield projects.
However, the increased efficiency and effectiveness of public spending
on brownfields that such accountability could generate must also be
considered. Any subsidy funds provided that are not needed to make a
project economically viable are funds not available for other possible
subsidies that could actually increase the number of brownfields
redeveloped. The issue is not one of "subsidize or not" but rather of
the allocation of public funds to maximize attainment of public
objectives through that spending.
We can all agree that we want to see the limited brownfield funds
available have the greatest possible impact on the rate of site
mitigation and redevelopment. We may all also agree that we would prefer
to see more public funds available. To the extent that additional
appropriations depend on demonstrated effectiveness in utilization of
current funds, increased accountability can lead directly to future
expansion of public funding for the reclamation of contaminated lands,
Peter Meyer
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