In addition to looking at individual companies that are frequent recipients of economic development subsidies, we examine some industries in which all the major companies tend to get financial assistance from state and local governments. Currently, the list of these case studies include:

Biotechnology: This industry is regarded by many economic development officials as the key to local prosperity, and thus they are willing to shower subsidies on new projects.

Automobile assembly plants: As the big Detroit automakers have contracted, foreign car companies have expanded their U.S. manufacturing operations. Local officials roll out the red carpet for these rare industrial investments--and eagerly hand over large subsidies.

Private prisons: Operators of for-profit correctional institutions not only receive lucrative operating contracts from government agencies, but they also get financial help to build new facilities.

Professional sports: Owners of professional sports franchises act as if they are entitled to huge amounts of taxpayer assistance when building new stadiums--and they get it.

Check back for additional industry case studies that we will add in the future.