In the movie “The Jerk” Steve Martin comes to the realization “it’s a profit thing.” Profit is not a dirty corporate word. Profit makes the world go round. It pays taxes, pays good wages and provides funding to charity. Big business success is good; small business success is great because profits are closer to those most responsible, and local profits have a greater impact on their local economy. We should encourage profitable local businesses.

America was built on entrepreneurial spirit, bold sometimes risky actions that resulted in either significant successes or forgettable failures. This spirit of American ingenuity is what made this country great. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Stubborn pride and belief in oneself led many to spurn handouts whether in daily life or business.

Fast forward to the present

The idea of a beautiful hotel on the hill is wonderful. However, it seems to be a flawed business plan that only works with government subsidies.

First, the Oread Inn had to be exceptionally tall, according to the developers, to make it financially feasible. Although planning and historic resources officials were concerned about the height of the building, they eventually approved the plans. Now, private developers say, they need to create a special sales tax zone for the project to be viable. When does this private business idea carry its own weight?

A large industrial center located near the Lawrence airport, a transportation crossroads, given the right environment, is a great idea.

First, it was going to be a 900-acre industrial park with thousands of jobs for the community. Reality sets in, and now the scaled-down version is for a 144-acre development. This private developer has another great plan, but the only way it will work is with an investment of tax money to extend infrastructure such as roads and sewers to the project.

Both of these businesses have asked for creative public subsidy. How about that creative public subsidy coming with public equity? Perhaps some company profits should be shared with the public “investors.” What is to stop the developers from selling and reaping all the reward when the public shared the risk? Maybe with this public equity comes public reimbursement when the property is sold. If the hotel wants, say, 20 percent or 30 percent public help, maybe upon sale of the hotel, the public should receive 20 percent or 30 percent of the sale price for schools or parks.

In today’s very competitive environment, communities need to rally together to get ahead and compete for economic opportunities. It would seem there is a ceiling on how much and how many times local residents can be taxed. There is a limit on resources. Facing limited resources, shouldn’t broad economic needs such as 70 percent of streets in Lawrence needing repair, a sewer plant representing the biggest public expenditure in Lawrence’s history and the horribly dilapidated state of our youth athletic fields have top priority in the use of public money?

Private efforts that will benefit private bank accounts need to stop asking for public support. If it is such a great idea, try it on your own.