We have the tools…

We have existing tools to produce strong and lasting economic recovery that are sadly misused and abused. Two programs: CDGB and locally administered TIF, if practiced to theory could:

- increase free market demand for alternative energy sources;
- reduce demand for energy
- refurbish blighted neighborhoods;
- create job demand and retraining resources;
- generate increasing funding sources for government services
- provide for a cleaner ecology

The programs as widely practiced are rightfully criticized for promotion of pet projects that benefit few, but handsomely.

The end-user of the funds available in CDBG and TIF is seldom if ever the recipient of those funds. The regulatory process required to receive funding contributes to an unhealthy relationship between the government administrative agencies and private developers. This relationship produces corruption far more often than public benefit.

A healthier more productive partnership is between the citizens and its government. Vouchers from current level funding of CDBG and TIF programs should be delivered directly to the individual citizen to

- induce purchasing of approved alternative energy products and services
- induce purchasing of building material and construction services for property renovation and environmental enhancement
- neighborhood job retraining and creation
- generate sales, circular cash flow and tax revenues
- rebuild Main Street, America

CDBG and TIF should be examined closely and retooled to serve as a catalyst for a bottoms-up economic recovery.