What is the federal stimulus supposed to stimulate?

There seems to be much confusion about that question, not only from out here as a distant observer, but from the meager results produced by the Port Authority task force. Those results, as reported by the Advocate 3/28/09 consist of: proposals to endow three multinational corporations with the means to become more efficient (meaning producing more with fewer employes), plus six construction projects at various places throughout the county, none of which are in Newark.

That’s it. The task force apparently never had as a target the creation of permanent local jobs by local companies and small business owners. To my knowledge there’s never been a public mention of that.

As for the construction projects being touted by governments everywhere, these are a form of government bailout. Call them improvements to the infrastructure to provide for long-term growth, they are nonetheless things that government wants because - with or without federal stimulus funds - government is going to have to pay for them. Further, any permanent jobs (as opposed to temporary construction jobs) that result from them will be in the very distant future.

Meanwhile, Ron Platt of the Port Authority has been pleading for projects where stimulus dollars could be used. So I asked in a blog comment yesterday whether any action had been taken by anyone to inquire of permanent local business persons if they could create jobs with the help of this stimulus money. There was no answer on that, so I presume not. I mentioned as examples Wilson’s Garden Center, Main and Plaza Hardware stores, Claggett & Sons, WCLT, Goumas Candy, Dennis’ Used Cars. Maybe these aren’t so great but it might kick-start some thoughts.

Also, I wonder if anyone has inquired of The Works or Dawes Arboretum or the Hartford Fairgrounds or the hospital or the historical museums of Newark, Granville, and Buckeye Lake? No?

To get the community interested and enthused the task force needs to promise the creation of as many jobs - good, permanent jobs - as possible and as quickly as possible. Sending the resources to privately owned local businesses and recreation/tourist attractions would help ease the anxiety and anger of taxpayers while adding to the quality of life - and the wealth - in Licking County.

I think that’s what the federal stimulus is supposed to stimulate.