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APPENDIX L Summary of Relevant Strategic Planning Business Climate Survey In 2003, the City of Eugene commissioned a study of"Perceptions of the Business Climate in Eugene". Perceptions of a community's business climate have important implications for local businesses and economic development efforts. Several themes emerged from the data gathered for this project. First, the business community generally has a negative image of the business climate in Eugene, and the business community feels that the City could do more to support local business. Secondly, the study results suggest that the business community strongly favors policies that encourage economic growth, and that removal of economic development barriers and creation of local economic development incentives are effective methods for improving the business climate in Eugene. Mayor's Committee on Economic Development In 2004, the Mayor's Committee on Economic Development recommended the establishment of an Enterprise Zone in Eugene. The Committee acknowledged that Eugene has a limited number of tools available to encourage economic development, and that Eugene's lack of an Enterprise Zone results in a competitive disadvantage for new investment, and retention of existing investments. A subcommittee of the Mayor's Committee was established to specifically review options for creating a new Enterprise Zone in Eugene. The subcommittee concluded that the former West Eugene Enterprise Zone was an effective tool for encouraging new investment, especially for existing, local companies. The subcommittee recognized that Eugene has spent the past twenty-plus years planning and providing infrastructure investment to the industrial properties in the West Eugene area. Overlaying the short-term tax incentive on this area would help assure that the City receive a long-term return on these infrastructure investments. The subcommittee also considered ways that the Enterprise Zone could be enhanced to promote City goals such as attractive wages and sustainable economic development. The Mayor's Committee presented their recommendations to the Eugene City Council in August 2004. Buildable Lands Inventory Consistent with the recommendation from the Mayor's Committee on Economic Development, the City of Eugene, the City of Springfield, and Lane County have committed funding for an analysis of available commercial and industrial land so that an adequate supply of buildable land is maintained in support of Oregon land use laws and community economic development goals. The analysis is expected to be completed by the end of 2005.