The request was reportedly discovered late Thursday evening by an exhausted economic developer in Ohio while reviewing an 88-page request for information tied to a confidential advanced manufacturing project identified only as “Project Falcon Meadow.”
“At first, I thought I was hallucinating,” the director said. “You get used to seeing questions about utility redundancy, labor force participation, wastewater capacity, speculative building inventory, workforce housing, childcare access, and whether the community has direct flights to somewhere more important. But then I got to page 72 and saw the line: ‘Please identify whether the community is willing to provide first-born child as part of long-term partnership strategy.’”
Industry experts say the request represents a natural progression in what many economic developers describe as the increasingly unrealistic demands of modern project recruitment.
“Honestly, we all joked this was coming eventually,” said one site consultant attending a regional conference this week. “Five years ago, communities were providing incentives. Then came free land. Then custom workforce training. At a certain point, someone was going to ask for a symbolic human sacrifice.”
The consultant later clarified the request was likely “more conceptual than literal,” though communities are reportedly still awaiting legal guidance.
Sources confirm economic developers nationwide immediately began organizing emergency conference calls to determine whether the request would qualify under existing incentive policies.
One southern community reportedly formed a special task force within hours.
“They told us this project could create up to 42 jobs over the next decade,” said one participant. “Naturally we wanted to stay competitive.”
Meanwhile, several consultants urged communities not to overreact.
“I think this is really about demonstrating flexibility,” explained site selection advisor Joe Benjamin. “Companies today want to know communities are willing to think creatively.”
When asked directly whether surrendering a first-born child crossed ethical boundaries, Benjamin paused briefly before responding: “You show me the capital investment first, then we’ll talk ethics.”
The issue has sparked intense debate across the economic development industry, with some leaders arguing communities must remain aggressive in a highly-competitive business climate.
“If we’re not willing to adapt, another state will,” warned one economic development board member during a recent public meeting. “That’s just the reality of modern recruitment.”
Others, however, believe the process may have finally gone too far.
At press time, several communities were reportedly still considered “strong contenders” after offering:
tax abatements
infrastructure improvements
expedited permitting
workforce grants
and a set of well-behaved twins.
Sources confirm the twins are incredibly well behaved.
