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B. Economic Element <br /> <br /> In recent years, there has been a strong structural shift in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan <br /> area's economy. This shift is characterized by four trends: (a) a decline in the lumber and wood <br /> products industry as a source of employment; (b) limited increase in employment in other <br /> manufacturing activities; (c) diversification of the non-manufacturing segments of the local <br /> economy, primarily in trade, services, finance, insurance, and real estate; and (d) the <br /> development of this metropolitan area as a regional trade and service center serving southern and <br /> eastern Oregon. <br /> <br /> The decline in lumber and wood products and diversification of the non-manufacturing sectors <br /> are consistent with changes that are occurring in other portions of the state and throughout the <br /> nation as a result of rising real incomes and higher productivity of labor in manufacturing. The <br /> increase in employment in other manufacturing activities in this area has lagged behind other <br /> portions of the state, particularly the Portland area, and many other places in the nation. <br /> <br /> Given the projected growth in this area's economy, it is essential that an adequate supply <br /> (quantitatively and qualitatively) of commercial and industrial land be available. An adequate <br /> supply of land includes not only sites sufficient in size to accommodate the needs of the <br /> commercial or industrial operations (including expansion), but also includes sites which are <br /> attractive from the standpoint of esthetics, transportation costs, labor costs, availability of skilled <br /> labor, natural resource availability, proximity to markets, and anticipated growth of local <br /> markets. <br /> <br />In striving toward the Land Conservation and Development Commission's (LCDC) Statewide <br />Planning Goal 9: Economic Development, "To provide adequate opportunities throu..mhout the <br />s_t_ate_ for a variety of economic activities vital to the health, welfare, and prosperity of Oregon'_s <br /> · · ,, .~ ..... :c., ~.~: .......,~ .......... c,,.^ e,~,^ ,, the Eugene-Spri gfi <br />_Clt~zens~ =,~ ....... ., ....... v ................. .~ ........... , n eld metropolitan <br />area must take advantage of and encourage the further diversification of this area's economic <br />activities and role as a regional center· <br /> <br />This diversification and growth can improve the opportunities for presently underutilized human <br />resources and generally raise the standard of living for metropolitan area residents. <br /> <br />Implicit in the goals and objectives that follow is the premise that the economic health of the area <br />is integrally related to the quality of life for residents. Improved welfare of the residents of the <br />metropolitan area, measured by increases in employment opportunities and reductions in <br />unemployment, increases in real incomes, and improved environmental quality are the ultimate <br />goals of all economic efforts. Economic growth or industrial expansion is acceptable when it is <br />consistent with these goals and objectives. <br /> <br />Goal <br /> <br />Broaden, improve, and diversi[v the metropolitan economy while maintaining or enhancing thc <br /> <br /> III-B-1 <br /> <br /> <br />