In what will surely be known as the most cynical move ever by Pima County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry to grab power and money in the name of good, a forum will be held today to push the government into the Social Enterprise sector. Huckelberry will introduce the initiative – “the first of its kind in the state of Arizona” – in a welcoming keynote address at a forum by the Federal Reserve Bank.
For years, the business community has partnered with non-profit service agencies to delivered goods and services, which serve the public good, with free market principles. Great success has occurred in filling voids and addressing social needs using with free enterprise vehicles such as the Women’s Bean Project.
Now, Huckelberry wants to involve the government in what has been an organically growing and private enterprise economic sector.
While many social enterprises have accessed government grants, what separates them from a government welfare program is 1) they are not operated by the government, and 2) the services they provide or the products they create eliminate the need for government services.
Huckelberry put out a statement claiming that “Pima County is poised to embark upon a new funding mechanism that leverages private sector investment funds in an effort to make measurable gains in resolving some of the stickiest social problems confronting the community.”
What is new, is that Huckelberry wants the “partners” to “work together to achieve a specific and measurable goal set by the government.” The government.
Rather than have philanthropic business people and community activists decide what and how the greater good will be served, as has been the case with most social enterprises; under Huckelberry’s plan the government will identify the needs to be met.
Huckelberry claims the new Social impact bonds carry minimal risk to the taxpayers.” because they “build a higher degree of accountability into the service delivery model and it brings a diversity of partners to the table to pursue solutions.”
According the press release sent on Monday, “Huckelberry will issue a challenge to the community during his address.”
“The community should issue a challenge to Huckelberry. They should challenge him to get out of the way of private enterprise and see how many social ills are solved with high paying jobs and the how well the charities do when there are well-paid people in town to donate to them,” said one hard-pressed Pima County small business owner.
The forum begins at noon, Feb. 12, with remarks beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Tucson – Reid Park.