05/14/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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The committee also noted the need to encourage expansion of the tourist industries in Eugene. This issue recognizes that the tourist industry ~ can be expanded in Eugene through public and/or private action with ~ minimal capital improvements. Mr. Farah then summarized the strategies developed by the committee. The strategies proposed by the Economic Development Committee must be imple- mented incrementally. These strategies must also be developed in the context of existing local and state goals and policies. The committee felt that the City should facilitate expansion of local firms. The committee recommends the following program for City Council consideration and action: 1) the City should assist local firms in obtaining financial assistance, through existing Federal programs: 2) the City should request that the Lane Economic Improvement Commission institute a revolving loan fund to focus on existing local firms. If implemented, this program should be administered through a set of criteria which focuses this assistance on firms which provide some predetermined public benefit: 3) the City should institute a function within the City's structure to assist local firms in dealing with local restrictions, ordinances, etc. This could include development of a single information brochure which details appropriate departments and phone numbers to contact about specific permits, procedures, etc: and 4) the City should work through the Chamber, University of Oregon Business School, LCC, or other similar organizations to develop and maintain a current listing of management seminars for operators of newly formed small businesses. Another strategy developed by the committee is to provide an "adequate" e supply of land. The committee feels that providing an adequate supply of land is a prerequisite to the success of economic development strategies in Eugene. The Committee recommends that it continue to examine these issues and report back to the council in four months with more detailed guidelines if so requested. Mr. Farah summarized the issues in this category. The City should adopt guidelines which describe the types of firms Eugene wants to attract or accommodate. These guidelines should not only describe types of businesses, but the commitments to the commu- nity's goals and policies that existing Eugene firms have made. The City should find and adopt mechanisms: 1) to preserve sites identified for Special Light Manufacturing within the Update of the General Plan: and 2) phase development on these sites. Some examples are an active annexation policy for industrial lands, purchase of land, purchase of development rights (both cases could involve subsidies in the form of land write-downs), or restrictions of use through zoning. The Eugene Economic Development Committee should make recommendations to the Planning Commission and City Council on the adequacy of industrial land within the Draft Metropolitan Area General Plan. To date, the Committee has forwarded comments to the Planning Commission that the total acreage for general industrial use shown in the Draft document is adequate. The Committee is now reviewing the adequacy of the Special . Light Industrial sites shown in the Draft document. Another issue discussed by the committee was that the City should adopt priorities for provision of capital improvements specifically related to the economic .-.._ development. ., 5/14/80--6