Correspondence 1992-1993 Waldron

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4 5 T'hird, the Small Cities Economic Development Pro�ram has existed longer than any oth�r major state economic development pro��am in Minn�sota,. �s in every state, a large share o� 1Vlinn�esota's econorr►ic development �fforts are short-�ive,ri. Survivai and longevity mean data exist (albeit often in the form of votuminous writien nnateriais in file cabinets rather than cor�puter-ready numbers), th� program has result� tA be �xplained, and a t�,istory exists to draw up�an for idendfying polidcal-e�onomic explanadons for the outcames of the program. On the oth�r hand, the findings regarding the Small Cities F�conomic De�re�opment Program may not apply directly to some other programs. 'I`hhe Scnall Cities F,conamic Development Program's longevity suggests it may differ in important xespects from other efforts. Even i.n these cases, however, the insights from this researcr� are potentially relevant. The close look at the Small Cities Econocnic Devel�pment Program suggests why it lasted when other programs did not and thus helps reveal why o�ti�er programs did not survive long enough to have a chance of suc,�ess. Generalizations regarding the workings of the Small Cides Economic Developrnent Program aze mosi applicable to programs that a state agency disects rather than those initiat�ed by a local jurisdiction. Facplanations for success or failure of pro�rams where state enabling legislation leaves the responsibility for participation with local decisionmakers�--as when local jurisdictions decide to issue iaidustrial r�evenue bonds or set up tax increment financi�g districts--can draw on some of the ideas discussed here but should place greater emphasis on local polidcal and �conomic conditions.' 'Margaret D�war, Glean Nelson, �d ThQIDBS SQ1II50A, "The Political Character of Targeted Area Dev4�opment: Implications for Designers, Evaluators, and M�nagers" Staff Paper, State and Regional R�rch Ce�nter, :lnavessity of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, forthconung.