Exactly my point. Giving something away doesn't typically help the individual. As an individual you pay your taxes, and you don't get any incentive to live in the area. You give a business an incentive to set up shop, but what does that get an individual? Lower taxes? No. A job? Maybe for a few, since many times they bring their own people (especially for the high dollar jobs). More business for your business? Probably for those in the area, but not all types of businesses.
So, if businesses want another business to come in (or a sports team, or Hollywood), they should pay for the incentive. They are typically the ones who will benefit.
Cities and counties (and the team owners) want us to pay for it their venues. I never lived near the stadium, ballpark, arena, etc. but I had to pay for it. My business didn't benefit from it. I didn't benefit from it. My friends didn't benefit from it (except they could drive the hour to tour the place). My brother's business, where he could see the stadium and ballpark from his office, didn't even benefit from it, other than they had a lot of trouble getting to the office when something was going on.
I guess if states, counties, and cities would just not give incentives, they would choose the best place based on merit only.
Ok, I guess I should stop my rant.