An unexplained irony of Oxford Aviation is this: if its business model is so promising, why does it need government investments to keep going?

As a recent investigative report in The Forecaster and republished in the Sun Journal detailed, the Oxford County-based aircraft refurbisher has consistently relied upon government to expand its business over the past 20 years, through several sizable grants and programs to provide tax incentives.

Officials have hailed Oxford Aviation during this period. Gov. John Baldacci has said Oxford is an example of how his signature economic development policy, Pine Tree Zones, are better than what other states, such as New Hampshire, have to offer.

(Given this superiority is defined by offering more tax breaks than other states, this is not altogether comforting.)

Neither is the story of Oxford Aviation. There should be concern about any business still knocking at the public’s door after two decades, looking for more money. At what point does this relationship move from incubating into dependence? When does the government say no?

Nobody seems to know. Take the statewide expansion of Pine Tree Zones during the recent legislative session, hailed as bolstering the economy. This was cynically predicted years ago by economists and legislators, who remarked that politicians couldn’t resist taking a piece of the pie.

While expanding the zones — which provide breaks on sales, income and payroll taxes — invites businesses to explore more of the state, it also controverts the founding purpose of the program to promote development in rural, distressed areas of Maine.

Now, with these benefits statewide, these areas are again at a disadvantage.

Government can be effective in promoting industries and entrepreneurs, by offering the tools and incentives to get their businesses running. And government should assist businesses in times of trouble, when economic conditions demand extraordinary action.

Returning to the public trough, time and again, without accountability is not right, however.

A 2006 report by the watchdog Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability, found economic development is measured more by dollars spent than by dollars generated. Gauging returns on investments or appraising performance was not the norm.

It should be. Oxford Aviation has been the singular beneficiary of significant public investment for 20 years. It is appropriate to question where this money has gone and whether promises were kept.

And whether more should be spent.

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