The municipal bonus was a weapon of choice for attracting and retaining manufacturers. The town of Ingersoll offered bonuses to lure out-of town manufacturers to Ingersoll, promote the expansion of established manufacturers in Ingersoll, and help Ingersoll manufacturers get into production.

This book explores Ingersoll’s experience with municipal bonuses to manufacturers. Part I provides background information: a survey of provincial statutes for municipal bonusing; what qualified as a municipal bonus; the reciprocal obligations in a bonus agreement; and the municipal protocol for passing and enacting a bonus by law. Part II turns to Ingersoll’s experience with 25 bonus candidates.

Written by George Emery