The charitable interpretation is that large companies create demand for services in the community where they are located, thus functioning as an economic stimulus. The demand may entice smaller companies to co-locate in the same neighborhood.
With this interpretation it would make sense to entice large corporate entities to arrive and/or stay put.
Of course, the path from economically motivated kick backs to pure cronyism is not too long, so cynicism is always warranted.
There is an amount that the gov loses by allowing tax breaks and other perks to such businesses. Is this amount recovered (by some measure) through the assumed economic stimulus?
I'm certain that someone has looked at these numbers in case studies, but I don't have the time to wade through literature currently.
With this interpretation it would make sense to entice large corporate entities to arrive and/or stay put.
Of course, the path from economically motivated kick backs to pure cronyism is not too long, so cynicism is always warranted.