Community Growth: Public v. Private

The latest discussion that I have been contemplating is, “Who is the benefit vehicle for the growth and provisions of economic stability within a community, the public or private sector.”  This becomes even more interesting when the revenue streams are primarily ‘pass-thru’ revenues from local state and municipal government.  This question at this point is rooted only is quantities of rhetoric which is of unknown quality.  To better examine this question I need to better outline my methodologies, questions and rationale for my method of approach.  I am looking for some initial comments to help fire me into the right direction.