In a column for the New York Times, Eduardo Porter draws on research from Upjohn Institute Senior Economist Timothy J. Bartik on the local effects of business tax incentives. The piece, "When All Else Fails, Tax Incentives Probably Will, Too," focuses on the downside of incentives, arguing that cities turn to them out of desparation.
In the research cited in the column, Bartik shows that incentives can be targeted at industries that create more jobs in other local businesses but customized services to small and medium-sized businesses create jobs more efficiently.