I am seeking ideas and information I have been making representations to the City Council (Palmerston North, New Zealand) on the need to update their employment and economic development policies, from the general and meaningless to something more specific, along the lines of employers more likely to stay in town, those that pay good wages, are involved in activities that are sustainable etc. When a new business comes to town one of the few things highlighted is the number of jobs it will create. This seems to be a key measure of desirability, presumably the wages that will be paid, ie increased spending power in the community. But if the jobs are Mc jobs they may be of little value. I remember from a report a friend produced, but neither of us can locate, from a visit to Chicago where a group had researched the vaccuum cleaner effect of a suprermarket - owned elsewhere, it took many millions out of the community. The damage casinos do is getting some close scrutiny. Can you help me with suggestions, references etc on ways to look at the contribution individual businesses make to a community etc Many thanks Ian http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Academy/3142/IR/#pag
