As part of his national tour to direct attention to impoverished U.S. communities, President Clinton visited inner-city Los Angeles late last week. Despite many promises, government-backed programs have yet to spur much economic growth in these neighborhoods. So the Business Journal asks:
Do you think the local, state, or federal government should do more to promote growth in the inner city?
Rod McDermott [pic5-10nm]
Senior Vice President
DHR International
Absolutely. Enterprise zones and other government-sponsored employment incentive programs, like tax advantages, seem to have been effective in attracting companies, and giving them incentives to hire local workers. The enterprise zones in Santa Ana and in other areas throughout the state have been successful in attracting major corporations.
Giovanni D’Andrea
President
Versatile Media One
Our company moved into a redevelopment area in Altadena to do exactly that. We’re an incubator and we moved from Glendale into an L.A. County building here, which houses start-ups. If you’re in an (inner-city) environment where businesses flourish, people can see that kind of growth and see that there are places to apply for jobs other than only liquor stores. We’re not going to make a dent today, but in the long run it will help people in the neighborhood.
Sammy Feuerlicht [pic5-3nm]
Vice President for Strategic Planning
and Business Development
Good Samaritan Hospital
Of course it’s a good idea. The key is to provide some seed money to get some businesses that can generate jobs that pay well, and that offer health insurance benefits, which of course is important to us.
Dr. Donald R. Henderson
Chief of Staff
Daniel Freeman Memorial Hospital
I would say an unqualified yes. It is necessary for a well-balanced society to continue its economic growth, which spreads to all segments of society, and for future generations of taxpayers, who will grow up to continue to support our system of government and way of life.
There was a report recently which showed that the uninsured population is growing in spite of our economic boom; we need to provide health care to everyone to sustain the workforce, and to maintain the American way of life.
Rick Mischel
President and Chief Operating Officer
Harvey Entertainment Co.
Wherever there are artificial barriers to growth, whether socioeconomic or physical, government should step in and provide a greater degree of empowerment to promote self-growth. My philosophy would be to look to promote growth by bringing in outside services that serve the community by empowering them to create their own businesses. They know what their needs are better than outside parties, and through the use of tax subsidies and other types of credits, communities can be empowered. That’s what local, state and federal government can do.
Amy Williamson
Director of Sales
Hornblower Cruises & Events
Yes absolutely, local government should do more, but I also think the citizens of the local community need to take into account all of the local issues, rather than just pointing the finger at government especially in the neighborhoods that Clinton is visiting.
