Panel Discussion

Focusing Economic Development

—Greg LeRoy, Executive Director, Good Jobs First

President Obama called for greater transparency, participation, and collaboration to improve the quality of government and strengthen democracy. Creative partnerships and out of the box thinking are powerful steps, made even more powerful when matched up with new technology and policy tools. Leveraging the Internet and GIS technology presents a whole new way to inform decision makers and engage the public. Complimentary policies driving government performance and accountability can help focus new efforts. This panel will feature an overview from the perspective of the White House combined with real examples of where technology and policy are helping to make government work better.

Every year, state and local governments offer businesses tax and other incentives to create jobs. With billions of dollars flowing to these deals, determining whether they create jobs in economically depressed areas should be a policy priority. Using geospatial data, Good Jobs First has created maps of several municipal regions showing where businesses ultimately end up creating jobs after receiving economic development incentives.