Laserfiche WebLink
Findings, Objectives, and Policies <br /> <br />[ Findings <br /> <br /> 1. The structure of the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area economy is undergoing a shift <br /> away from lumber and wood products manufacturing (and other heavy industrial <br /> activities) and towards a more diverse economic base characterized by growth in light <br /> manufacturing activities and the non-manufacturing activities of trade, commercial and <br /> professional services, finance, insurance, and real estate. <br /> <br /> 2. The lumber and wood products sector is the metropolitan area's dominant manufacturing <br /> activity; and in this respect, Lane County's forest is the area's most important natural <br /> resource utilized as a factor of production. <br /> <br /> 3. Major institutions in the metropolitan area including the University of Oregon and Sacred <br /> Heart Hospital, have had a stabilizing influence on the local economy. <br /> <br /> 4. The Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area is developing as a regional center for <br /> activities, such as tourism, distribution, and financial services, serving the southwestern <br /> and central Oregon area. <br /> <br /> 5. Based on data from the 2000 U.S. Census, theLecal per capita income in 1999 for the <br /> Eu.~ene-Springfield met'ropolitan area wasis lower than for Oregon as a whole ando~ the <br /> Portland metropolitan area. but is comparable to or higher than adjacent cotmties. <br /> <br /> 6. In 2000, the u.nemplo.~m~ent rate in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area was <br /> compm'able to Oregon and higher than the national rate. The local area labor force is <br /> characterized by higher levels of unemployment than is Oregon as a whole and the <br /> nation; however, it is not presently knoxvn what portion of the total unemployment is <br /> short term and what portion is chronic or long term. <br /> <br /> Historically, job creation is at a very high level in the metropolitan area. This fact, ~ <br /> together with the available data on unemployment, implies that there may be a mismatch <br /> between (a) existing job sldlls and job finding skills and (b) the jobs which are available. <br /> These conditions are particularly important to the area's expanding labor force, which <br /> results from people moving to the area and seeking jobs, as well as existing residents <br /> entering the labor force for the first time, e.g., women. <br /> <br /> 87. Historically, heavy-manufacturing industries, including primary metals, chemicals and <br /> paper, have been characterized by high levels of pollution or energy consumption. <br /> Changes in technology and environmental regulations have reduced the potential <br /> environmental impacts of these industries. Heavy manufacturing industries provide <br /> benefits, such as relatively high wage scales and the potential for generating secondary <br /> manufacturing activities. <br /> <br /> III-B-2 <br /> <br /> <br />