The State of Ohio has agreed to throw $1 million into the pool if Bass Pro Shops, one of the nation's largest outdoor equipment retailers, builds a new 150,000 square-foot retail complex in the Toledo area.

That's not the end of the incentives, either. Lucas County has offered a 75% rebate for ten years on their 1% sales tax.

In return, Bass Pro Shops would agree to invest at least $50 million in the facility, provide at least 150 jobs, and draw at least ½ of their customers from more than 100 miles away.

The state money will come from the budget of The Department of Natural Resources. To justify this, BPS would include an outdoor education center in the development. A similar deal was granted to BPS for their existing store in Cincinnati. There, the money was used for an aquarium and educational displays. ODNR hopes to see a shooting range included in the Toledo store.

I've visited the facility of a similar chain, Cabela's, in Michigan, and was struck by the number of different license plates in the parking lot. I suppose, then, a retailer can be a tourism destination. In fact, the J.C. Penny outlet store in Columbus is our most-visited attraction.

Nonetheless, it seems hard to justify this as an ODNR initiative, especially in that much of BPS's nuts and bolts business, tackle and ammo and licenses, will most likely come at the expense of smaller local shops.

If this is, as it appears, an Ohio Department of Development project, I think the money should flow through their budget. Let ODNR put their funds into their own programs, and avoid showing favor to particular businesses.