All the talk over the incentives given to KIA (See list from AJC) causes me to ponder what different high tech execs have told me are important incentives for them to locate a business:
- Educated (as in engineeing, computer science) work force
- Access to good infrastructure (as in multiple sources of connectivity)
- Atmosphere (as in open, inclusive community with energy driven 24 hour activities)
- A good library (as in books and numerous hard to find technical journal subscriptions
- Access to Capital (as in local cash willing to take risk and not expect immediate dividends)
- Government that understands the need to avoid passing laws that restrict innovations
There are some others, but these were the most frequently mentioned. Note that tax incentives, property, highways, rail heads and those other singular capital investments were not required.
Have you read Richard Florida?