YSOSLO
is the word, beotch
While I agree that there is definitely a big difference between a tax break and allocating taxes toward a project, I disagree that a stadium is "private industry" because a stadium isn't only used for a single purpose. Stadiums are also buildings that lure various groups to a municipality year-round. And these groups that come to use the stadium, whether it be for State high school competitions or a Festival of Nations event or whatever it might be, these groups are also spending money in the hotels, restaurants and gas stations to name just a few of business that benefit and would therefore be attracted TO a community they may not have otherwise built in...again benefitting the tax base and growing the significance of the community. I wouldn't want a stadium in my suburb, simply because I like the small-town feel of the existing neighborhoods and stuff, but it might be a great option for communities with a low property density (translating into a smaller number of taxpayers) to help fund the expected services of a community.