Calculate the net present value (NPV) for an investment project with an initial outlay of $300,000 and expected cash flows of $100,000 per year for 4 years, using a discount rate of 10%. Describe the net present value (NPV) as a measure of an investment's profitability, indicating the difference between the present value of cash inflows and the initial investment cost. Discuss the significance of NPV in capital budgeting decisions and its suitability for comparing alternative investment projects.