The public debate over economic development structure in Cayuga County the past two weeks has focused mostly on whether government should accept Stardust Foundation money to create a new economic development “first-stop” agency.

But the battles over private funding and influence on government policy are largely secondary to a bigger question that largely remains unanswered by the county Legislature. Should the county be spending taxpayer dollars - whether it's now or down the road after private sinking funds have been exhausted - on economic development?

It's a question the legislators must deal with as they also confront the possibilities of major tax increases and/or cuts in services in next year's budget, according to the projections offered by Planning and Economic Development Committee Chairman Dan Schuster.

The knee-jerk reaction might be to reject any idea of new spending. On most items, we would agree.

But economic development cannot be viewed like most expenditures.

Take a look at the New York counties with growing populations. (There aren't many). They all have strong, unified economic development programs in place. And even as the national economy creates challenges, you can bet those places won't be cutting from resources that are dedicated to bringing prosperity to their areas.

Effective economic development agencies pay for themselves, and then some, once they're running effectively because their underlying purpose is to create and maintain jobs.

More jobs translate into more money in residents' pockets, which helps boost local spending. More jobs translate into a bigger property tax base, which helps drive down the rates for individual property owners.

But more jobs just don't magically appear. It takes well-coordinated marketing and outreach to employers looking for a place to locate, not to mention efficient delivery of regulatory guidance and possible financial assistance to companies that do show an interest.

And that all does take some money, money that should be viewed as a wise investment.