The Common Ground Speaker Series Presents: Economic Growth Incentives or Taxpayer Funded Patronage?

Economic Growth Incentives or Taxpayer-Funded Patronage?

Featuring a panel discussion with:

• Daniel Erspamer | CEO, The Pelican Institute
• Michael Hecht | President and CEO, Greater New Orleans, Inc.
• Stacey Roussel | Deputy Director, Invest in Louisiana
• Nathalie Simon (Moderator) | Director of Governmental Affairs, Laitram

In a dynamic global economy with high levels of mobility for companies and people, states and cities are exploring every tool in the toolbox to compete. Plants, data centers, jobs, and entrepreneurs will build their businesses somewhere—and the arms race of tax incentives, subsidies, and other strategies has become a new reality (Remember Amazon’s HQ2?). Are these incentives a catalyst for innovation, job creation, and regional development? Or do they disproportionately benefit politically-connected corporations at the expense entrepreneurs and smaller, less-connected enterprises? Worse yet, do they take money out of other taxpayer priorities like schools and infrastructure?

 This panel brings together experts from different perspectives to explore both the advantages and drawbacks of these incentives. Through respectful dialogue and engagement, this discussion will foster a deeper understanding of how such policies impact communities, competitiveness, and the broader economy.   You will also experience the core mission of The Neutral Ground: civil discourse as it should be.

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