Brewed Fresh Daily

Chris Thompson says:

After decades of doling out millions of dollars to various quasi-governmental, nonprofit organizations with the stated mission of "creating jobs," the state of Ohio should switch its focus to creating wealth and let the professionals take over. This proposal stems from a news release issued this week by the Ohio Department of Development which proudly touted that the state had awarded more than $13 million to 14 different organizations under its Thomas Edison Program that vow to create jobs in industries from biotech to welding. In a few months, the state will also unveil the winners of its technology action grant program - which will likely dole out an additional $12 million to various companies, organizations and institutions that also are trying to generate economic activity. In essence, the state is spreading $25 million a hundred miles wide and a millimeter thick when it comes to economic development endeavors. I'm sure each one of the organizations that gets money from the state has its merits - but the basic premise here is Ohio isn't doing well economically and different economic development model is needed. Philosophically, I am opposed to government investment in the private sector. But Ohio is playing in that game. It's just not playing very well.

I concur. Let's stop throwing good money after bad. You should click on the title of this post and read what Chris proposes. Also at Crain's, in his Editor's Choice email Chris tells subscribers:

In case you can�t get enough post-mortems on the convention center debacle, check out the commentary of some the region�s bloggers who have been conducting an online debate for weeks on the convention center issue. Blogger Chas Rich wonders what he�s going to write about now that this horse is dead. And George Nemeth contributes an e-mail from the Downtown Cleveland Partnership � which is seriously depressed over Mayor Campbell�s decision to kill the project.

I suggest that you subscribe to Crain's email updates. They do a good job of keeping you up to date on the business world and things that effect you. Chris Thompson probably doesn't need it, but the rest of us hacks will benefit from reading (check out this $.50 title) The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage : The Official Style Guide Used by the Writers and Editors of the World's Mostauthoritative Newspaper