What motivates the Economic Development Commission? | Eastern North Carolina Now

   Ever wonder why that woman wants to lay half naked on the beach or why the 70 year old wants that new sports car. We will not get into explaining those things here but we will try to shed some light on what makes the Economic Development Council (EDC) tick. This is aboard appointed by the Beaufort County Commissioners to enhance job creation in Beaufort County. There are a lot of ways to enhance job creation. This group takes tax money and spends, notice I did not say invests, it on grants and shell buildings to attract new industry tot he county.

   There are a lot of facets to how the EDC does business. Some say it is not fair to use Beaufort County taxes to entice outsiders into the county. What about the business owners already here? Why not help them to expand? Others say he ventures of the EDC should at least break even on cash. After all we use the police power of the state to take money away from those who earn it. Enhancement does not mean subsidy from the county tax payer. And finally, this Nation was built without subsidies. It is socialisim for the government to divide individuals wealth with anyone or any thing.
Hood explaining the error in corporate welfare to a interested crowd at the one Candidates Forum held in Beaufort County, pre-primary, 2012: Above.     photo by Stan Deatherage
   Back to what motivates about 35 people to come out to support a program that creates jobs at a cost of more than 200,000 dollars per job and has 6.5 million tax dollars tied up with little chance of recovering this money during the next few years.

   About ten people or one third of those present get an economic benefit for themselves. They would sell real estate or insurance to new people moving to Beaufort County. Some could benefit from being able to buy a shell building at a discounted price. Some would/are providing services to the EDC or Committee of 100. After deducting these there are about 24 people remaining. The remaining 24 participants are probably Socialists. They believe using money taken from citizens by use of the police power of the state to fund economic development projects is a legitimate function of government. Based on the success rate of Beaufort County and the State of North Carolina this is not good government or policy.