Movers and Takers Are you getting stiffed on relocation incentives?

States across the country enthusiastically wave the banner ofbusiness friendliness. But when it comes to handing out financialincentives, most companies miss out.

According to a survey released in September 2002 byPricewaterhouseCoopers, one in four of the small and middle-marketcompanies received help to fund expansion or relocation plans.Those who qualify for tax breaks, low-interest loans and cashgrants were also more likely to be manufacturers than servicecompanies, though service businesses represent a faster-growingsector of the economy.

Both trends signal a gulf between expanding businesses and stateand local governments. "State and local jurisdictionsdon't target the middle-market companies to the extent they dobigger companies," says Steve Hamm, managing partner ofmiddle-market advisory services for PricewaterhouseCoopers in LosAngeles, "and [smaller] companies are often not savvy aboutthese opportunities."