Oregon's regional strategies program was actually set up to ensure that every region of the state got a cut of lottery dollars, rather than investing funds based upon objective success potential. Sidebar Counting Jobs Counting jobs created by economic development programs is highly speculative at best. An even greater problem is which jobs are to be counted. Many assisted businesses would have come here anyway. Employment estimates are easily inflated by the huge turnovers of jobs.
Wise investors weigh potential reward against risk.
Another has a low expected return, relatively low risk, and creates some jobs. The third has both a low expected return and high risk but creates the most jobs. Creating jobs sounds nice, but in the end, jobs are not created by poor business decision making. Inequities from Economic Development Spending Use of government funds for economic development causes inequities among local businesses. For example, the Economic Development Department has provided assistance for a Portland microbrewery.