It Pays To Be Friendly To Business

Of the approximately $48 billion in accumulated budget shortfalls that the 29 states with projected deficits are facing, $33 billion, or two-thirds of the gap, is concentrated in those five states considered by corporate executives to be the least friendly to business.
    Steven Malanga in RealClearPolitics

Vermont isn't mentioned by name in this essay, nor in the study that it cites.  But the lesson is plain for those who are willing to consider it.  Which, unfortunately, leaves out most of Montpelier and the Vermont media.

Comments

[G. Cross]

The creative writing exercise referenced in this posting is an interesting read, but suggesting that it is based on a “study” is a long stretch. The so-called study, A View From Corporate America: Winning Strategies in Economic Development Marketing, published by Development Counsellors International is basically a marketing tool for the DCI. Check the following quote for this “study”:

“The survey audience consisted of a random selection of
3,591 U.S. companies with annual revenues of $25+ million.
The survey targeted executives with direct site selection
responsibilities and was heavily weighted toward the
following business titles: “Chief Executive Officer,”
“President,” “Chief Financial Officer,” and “Vice President.”
The sample was augmented with 944 location
advisors/consultants. ……… In all, 281 responses were received.”

In the world of random sample surveying, “augmentation” is simply a procedure designed to ensure the writer’s point of view. So what we have here is a random survey distributed to 3591 “targeted executives” drawn from whatever pool of subjects and augmented by 944 “location advisors/consultants.” (Can you say potential clients?) About 6.2% (281) of this subject pool responded. According to any course titled, Survey 101, this is not exactly the kind of response one would want in a published “study.”

While there may be some limited value to the creative aspects of the article, let us not take it as a serious study. More importantly, let us not think that it should have any great impact on what Vermont is doing, not doing or should be doing related to economic development. Clearly, Vermont under the current administration has not done enough or even done well that which has been done.