02/14/1983 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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\ \ . Mr. Anderson introduced three of the nine OPEOC staff. He said the corporation is open, which was a deliberate decision. Mr. Anderson indicated a new policy will not allow OPEOC members to participate in site-specific development. No special advantage will be awarded to board members. They will not have the names of prospective investors. Mr. Anderson explained the OPEOC goal is to promote diversification of the regional economy through sales and marketing efforts. OPEOC is essentially a sales and marketing organization. Mr. Anderson commented that the objectives include: 1) establishing a stable financial base; 2) establishing relationships with regional medi a; 3) establishing a link with the community; 4) exploring the feasibility of SBA 503 program; and 5) foreign trade. Mr. Anderson emphasized that the handouts distributed were simply a draft. He explained ,OPEDC is working closely with the ESCVB. Staff is now working on film promotion and has targeted 100 Hollywood producers. A manual will be developed for film people. OPEDC is very interested in foreign trade. One of the most important items of the whole program is a cost/profit comparison effort to combat the Alex Grant study. ~ IV. DISCUSSION Responding to a question on industrial recruitment techniques, Mr. Anderson replied that the program includes five days per quarter for full-time fieldwork in the western United States and two trips per year to Washington DC and New York. Two domestic trade shows are included. Another phase includes a foreign trade show and U. S. Conference of Mayors-sponsored show. He urged consideration of that since it is very cost-effective. Mr. Anderson added he is not comfortable with this area's level of foreign investment. Responding to a question, Mr. Anderson replied the geographical scope of OPEDC was not expanded for financial reasons. Once the budget and work plan are finished, discussion will take place with other cities. Mr. Anderson commented that all high technology investments will occur in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area and 1-5 corridor. This effort is coor- dinated with the Steering Committee of the Research Corridor, which has been asked to formally affiliate with OPEDC. OPEDC supports research, but prefers that the concept not be limited to research only. e Responding to a question on the West Eugene sewer trunk line, Mr. Gleason replied if the sewer trunk line were not completed, the State would enact a cease and desist order for a major portion of the line in the City. If individual portions are calculated inside the City, and part of it annexed, two thirds would be served by the trunk system. Without the sewer trunk line, the industrial siting program would collapse. MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 14, 1983 Page 3