Forget the unprincipled construction industry patronage, the fair and smart way for Guilford County to spend $1.3 million

Thinking more about the Arnold/Austin proposed economic development incentives construction industry patronage, would not the proposed first year $1.3 million cost of the plan be better used if it provided a $1,000 grant for every new job created paying above $11.00/hour?

Would not that truly be an incentive for all businesses? Would not that be far fairer and more equitable than the current proposal? Would not that be the more direct, purposeful and justifiable reason for incentives, the creation of jobs?

Which is the better incentive?

- Giving a business a $1,000 grant each year for three years for adding $130,000* in value to a property through construction of or renovation to a building.

- Giving a business a $1,000 grant each year for three years for creating a new good paying job.

* Correction, 8/21/09: At Guilford County's current tax rate, $1,000 of property taxes would be on a property value of $130,000, not $13,000 as originally stated. That has been corrected.