More of the Same: A Research Note on Local Economic Development Policies over Time

This article examines local economic development policies over time. Using a quasi-longitudinal trend design, the authors address the following questions: Has the use of economic development incentives increased over time? To the extent that local policies are influenced by intercity competition and the diffusion and transmission of knowledge, are localities becoming more uniform in the techniques used? and, Have local governments changed the types of policies employed based on policy research, evaluation, and experience? Cities in Michigan and Ontario are employing more economic development mechanisms of all types. However, a subtle shift toward more entrepreneurial techniques and a reduced reliance on traditional locational incentives are also apparent.