IntroductionEconomic development offers local government, the private and nonprofit sectors, and local communities the opportunity to work together to improve the local economy. The often controversial practices allow political action groups to complain about the appearance of political corruption and cronyism. Background As the largest city in the small Mid-Western state, Air City has a rich tradition of local economic development. Air City, the hub of the regional economy, has a population of approximately 400,000 men, women and children. Like most mid-sized cities, Air City has a diverse landscape of regional neighborhoods. One of the oldest and poorest is the historic African-American enclave known as the Northeast Community. Over the years, the community has experienced blight, gang violence, drugs and civil unrest. Although the city council, local universities and community leaders have made multiple attempts to clean up the area, it is still a hub of criminal gang activity and other unwanted events. One of the problematic stops is a dilapidated shopping center known as Scion Plaza. Located in the heart of the community, this 1950s shopping icon became a popular gathering place for troubled youth. Local community activist, champion of the region and preacher of Savor of the World Christian Church, Roger Draper has approached a local development group with an offer to purchase Scion Plaza and renovate the building to accommodate more tenants with smaller stores and more manageable. Additionally, the plan called for four outdoor lots surrounding the shopping center. In order for the project to be completed, Draper and his well-known business partners, now operating under the name Canyon View Holding, sought financial incentives from Wichit... middle of paper... despite having sold the LLC's only asset , and intended to fulfill their agreement to cover any TIF shortfall over the life of the TIF loan. Samson reported news of the sale to the city manager. In his expert opinion, the city had limited options. Since the sale had already been concluded and all of the profits associated with the sale ($1,300,000) had been paid to the bank, it was unlikely that the city could do anything to resolve the sale because the city did not have any mortgages or restrictions on file against property. Sampson told the city council that, following the sale, the city has no practical alternative to recover its funds. However, Sampson noted that the board may require full funding of the proposed TIF deficit as a precondition to any future agreements or incentives involving any of Canyon View Holding LLC's principals.