Ordinance No. 20545 - Laserfiche WebLink

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B.Economic Element In recent years, there has been a strong structural shift in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area’s economy. This shift is characterized by four trends: (a) a decline in the lumber and wood products industry as a source of employment; (b) limited increase in employment in other manufacturing activities; (c) diversification of the non-manufacturing segments of the local economy, primarily in trade, services, finance, insurance, and real estate; and (d) the development of this metropolitan area as a regional trade and service center serving southern and eastern Oregon. The decline in lumber and wood products and diversification of the non-manufacturing sectors are consistent with changes that are occurring in other portions of the state and throughout the nation as a result of rising real incomes and higher productivity of labor in manufacturing. The increase in employment in other manufacturing activities in this area has lagged behind other portions of the state, particularly the Portland area, and many other places in the nation. Given the projected growth in this area’s economy, it is essential that an adequate supply (quantitatively and qualitatively) of commercial and industrial land be available. An adequate supply of land includes not only sites sufficient in size to accommodate the needs of the commercial or industrial operations (including expansion), but also includes sites which are attractive from the standpoint of esthetics, transportation costs, labor costs, availability of skilled labor, natural resource availability, proximity to markets, and anticipated growth of local markets. In striving toward the Land Conservation and Development Commission’s (LCDC) Statewide Planning Goal 9: Economic Development, “To provide adequate opportunities throughout the state for a variety of economic activities vital to the health, welfare, and prosperity of Oregon’s citizens,” the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area must take advantage of and encourage the further diversification of this area’s economic activities and role as a regional center. This diversification and growth can improve the opportunities for presently underutilized human resources and generally raise the standard of living for metropolitan area residents. Implicit in the goals and objectives that follow is the premise that the economic health of the area is integrally related to the quality of life for residents. Improved welfare of the residents of the metropolitan area, measured by increases in employment opportunities and reductions in unemployment, increases in real incomes, and improved environmental quality are the ultimate goals of all economic efforts. Economic growth or industrial expansion is acceptable when it is consistent with these goals and objectives. Goal Broaden, improve, and diversify the metropolitan economy while maintaining or enhancing the environment.