| conomic development incentives are formally intended for use in attracting new businesses to a community or a particular part of a community. Studies of their effectiveness in achieving this purpose show little direction coming from community planning, but rather direction coming from developers, and a general failure to create new economic activity in most instances of retail development or sporting venues. However little research has been done to measure the impact on the other taxing jurisdictions whose revenues are impacted by the diversion or abatement of taxes for supporting economic development.;This dissertation studies the impact on public school financing in Missouri of locally administered economic development incentives, including tax increment financing, chapter 353 tax abatement, chapter 100 bond issuances and enterprise zones. School districts in Missouri are dependent on local property tax revenues for a majority of their financing.;Granting of all incentives is controlled by the municipality or the county. The school district is an independent entity established by the state of Missouri and is solely responsible for its own solvency, but these incentives alter funding.;The analysis of all of the tax incentives granted within each school district in 2007 and 2009, created an understanding of the nature of the extent of these incentives. Additionally, through qualitative research, understanding of the use of these incentives from multiple perspectives was sought.;Key findings emerging include: · In 2007, nearly... |
