Rhodey Thoughts: When Economic Development isn't Economic Development

This morning I had a twitter exchange with Bob Plain of RIFutute.org (@bobplain).  The conversation started with Bob tweeting: "Rocky Point State Park = way better for #RI economy than tax breaks for the rich and powerful. http://ow.ly/hqF9W".  A fun back and forth ensued about whether or not the two are really related.  I happily earned a precious follow and moved on.  Some thoughts though:

1.)  Why can't buying greenspace be its own end?  I'm for the purchase of the Rocky Point, but my reasons for it have nothing to do economic development.  It's a beautiful spot and historic-ish site.  The price seems pretty reasonable considering the amount of land and the waterfront location.  In a vacuum I'd rather see it as a park than condos.  That should be enough.

2.)  Saying it should be done because it will stimulate/help/massage the economy is a pretty weak argument.  As a Hendricken grad and lover of Warwick, I find Bob's assertion that this purchase will embolden people to move to or visit RI by adding it our list of amenities pretty silly. 

One, large groups of consumers aren't going to decide to visit Rhode Island because of Rocky Point Park.

Two, if the park does draw visitors, regardless of where they are from, it would be tough to argue that it would benefit anyone other than those visitors or neighbors of the park.  I believe that the only business on Warwick Neck is a convenience store.  I hope that those folks do well and benefit from there being a big beautiful park down the road.  I don't think that a $9M investment can be justified on the back of Warwick Neck General Store selling more sundries.

Three, is anyone going to move to Rhode Island because of this park?  Rhode Island already has beautiful parks.  I had the privilege of living near Colt State Park and the bike path.  It was amazing and I miss it.  Goddard Park is a true treasure.  In the aggregate, they make living in Rhode Island a better experience.  Will a new greenspace at Rocky Point move the needle for anyone already thinking of moving to the state?  Saying that economic development is nuanced and moving on without supporting it in any way isn't an argument.

Don't confuse these three points with saying that we shouldn't buy the land.  Good price and opportunities for real estate like this don't pop up everyday.  You buy the land because parks are beautiful and it makes the lives of residents better.  Calling it economic development is a false way to bolster an argument for the acquisition.

3.)  Is this a new trend?  In the buildup of the recent passage of the marriage equality bill in the House, Governor Chafee claimed that passing the bill would be good for Rhode Island's economy.  The Governor's logic was a wee bit tortured in my book.  My question is:  if it makes sense and is a civil rights issue, isn't that enough?  That should be the end of your case.  If denying marriage to same sex couples is discrimination, that should do it.  No need to try to stretch yourself to make a point.

If citing the economy as a reason is this decade's new trend will it become last decade's "don't support the terrorists" argument?  Remember when there was a commercial that said buying marijuana helped support the terrorists?

Drugs are a cancer on our society and that's why we should concerned about them.  Our leaders shouldn't have needed to wave the terrorist flag to make their arguments.  Same goes for policy today.  It is sound or it is not.  Lamely stating that it's good for the economy with no actual data or insight does nothing.

4.)  Let's take Bob at face value and assume that the Rocky Point Park will be a factor in whether an individual or company decides to make her home in Rhode Island.  Would it also be fair to say that an anti "tax breaks for the rich" policy might count as a strike against?

5. )  I disagree with just about everything Bob says, but he is worth reading.  You can find him at RIFutute.org.