Assessment of the Characteristics and Effectiveness of Market-Based Urban Economic Development Strategies

摘要

Market-based, or entrepreneurial, local economic development strategies are increasingly familiar policy choices. The study defines the essential features of market-based policies, particularly their risk-taking, joint decision-making, nonbureaucratic aspects. It classifies local policy tools in terms of these criteria and whether or not they rely on Federal or non-Federal resources. The initial proposition was that cities relying on non-Federal resources may be more risk-aversive than cities using Federal program funds. The baseline for the study includes all 178 American cities with populations above 100,000 in 1975. Federal program data and Census data were collected for all 178 cities; 101 cities responded to inquiries about present policy choices and processes. The types of policy choices made when using Federal and non-Federal resources can be compared across these cities.