http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/22301
http://www.mackinac.org/archives/2016/1 ... nvoice.PDF
From the article:
Such claims should come with a high burden of proof, yet the company refuses to disclose the calculations behind this extraordinary claim, and the agency that purchased the report appears unconcerned. Longwoods asserts that its methods are proprietary, or secret. But Michigan taxpayers, who paid almost $150,000 for this report, should not have to take the government’s word that such a claim is valid, much less the word of the private company that made it.
That’s especially true given the apparently cozy relationship between the company and the agency: Longwoods’ current chairman is the former MEDC official in charge of the state’s tourism promotion programs. Moreover, Longwoods’ MEDC business is the result of no-bid contracts.
Michigan is not Longwoods’ only state customer. In state after state, the company uses its secret methodology to produce similar reports, nearly all showing positive impacts from similar programs. Longwoods’ business model appears to be one of helping state economic development bureaucrats persuade lawmakers to keep their budgets well filled. It’s not so surprising, then, that these same officials are not very curious about whether the company’s reports are valid.