Discomfort is hardly the word I would use to describe how the California Association for Local
Economic Development, CALED, feels about the recent published report on state enterprise
zones by the Public Policy Institute of California, PPIC.  The study narrowly focuses on one
aspect of enterprise zones – job creation and has been publicized in a sensational way illustrating
that because of the low outcomes associated with the singular metric reviewed that the program is
identified as ineffective.

We question why a study would only focus on one piece of this program and not the entire program. 
We question who would share in the benefits of such a narrow focused study versus the more
comprehensive study completed by USC? Who really benefits from this study?  Certainly it is not
economic development in California! I might ask who is paying for this study and why PPI is focused
on this issue which has already been dealt with in the past.

We believe a disservice has been done to economic development in the state by putting out this type
of research without critical review from economic development stakeholders, or even real peer review. 
This type of work is appreciated by others states because it provides them with information to use to
recruit California businesses

We hope that PPIC will consider using its abilities in a way that can actually help California’s economy

Wayne Schell
President & CEO
CALED