It's an incentive, not a bribe. No one is secretly getting money illegally.

I think governments should be able to make a calculus as to whether something like this will benefit their constituency.

This is not PR or high profile loss leader or trophy white elephant or other gimmick like the olympics or new stadiums. This is a bet on the company improving the local economy attracting other employers, competitors, increasing competition for employees, etc.

If I lived in MA I'd be all for this, just like SF bet on twitter reviving mid-Markt street --which it has.