In 1999, the state of Illinois launched a program called EDGE \u2013 short for Economic Development for Growing Economy. \u00a0The idea was to give companies tax incentives to hire additional employees. <\/span><\/p>\n Over those many years some 783 EDGE agreements were made with employers. \u00a0Analysis now shows that 2 out of every 3 participants (employers) failed to keep or add employees as agreed.<\/span><\/p>\n Since 2001 some $450 Million in tax credits have been claimed by EDGE participants. \u00a0The state is now seeking reimbursement from those who failed to hire the number of new employees their agreements called for.<\/span><\/p>\n Incentives to hire people the employer really don\u2019t need or want to employ them is doomed to fail. The only lasting solution is to training unemployed people to perform jobs that employers need and want to fill. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Thus successful workforce development programs focus on training and motivation. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span>www.advanagefoundation.org<\/span><\/a> is one such organization. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Training unemployed In 1999, the state of Illinois launched a program called EDGE \u2013 short for Economic Development for Growing<\/p>\n