Last I was aware, there was no evidence that this investment provided any return. Not that it matters because that still wouldn't justify a huge investment by

Last I was aware, there was no evidence that this investment provided any return. Not that it matters because that still wouldn't justify a huge investment by the public into a private entity without any ownership stake. If the idea was really to create something resembling a grant to private organizations to create business that stimulates the economy, you would rationally have some kind of process around for screening candidates based on merit and be more diversified in your awards. I'd like to believe it's anything other than a kind of blackmail where these organizations use their media power (== public opinion) with impunity to bully municipalities into providing them the tax revenue of citizens, wasting money that could otherwise be used for individual or public good, but that's all I can make out of it.