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Mr. Doppelt said that companies were finding cost savings through applying sustainable <br />development practices. In some cases, millions of dollars were involved. Worker productivity <br />was enhanced because workers feel better about working for firms that employ such practices. <br />Companies find they get ahead of and avoid environmental regulations by taking steps toward <br />sustainable business practices. They have more flexibility to respond to changes in the <br />marketplace. There was minimized risk to shareholder value. The company's public image was <br />improved. <br /> <br />Mr. Doppelt discussed the economic benefit of sustainable development in Lane County, noting <br />a full report on the topic was on the committee's Web site. The report concluded that the <br />sustainability sector was diverse; it included natural foods, recycling businesses, consulting <br />firms, green building companies, industrial manufacturers, service-oriented companies, and <br />investment firms. Most of the businesses in question had been in business 11 or more years, <br />nearly half had been in business for 20 years or more, and 75 percent were founded by residents <br />who were not likely to leave the community in a downturn. The businesses were making an <br />important financial contribution to the community. There is room for growth in the sustainable <br />development sector, which could become a major competitive advantage for the county. <br /> <br />Mr. Doppelt recommended the community establish a goal of growing the sustainable <br />development sector and establish policies and programs to achieve that goal. Existing businesses <br />that apply the practices should be strengthened and Other businesses encouraged to use them. <br />The community should grow the existing "clusters" of sustainable development sector businesses <br />through expansion or recruitment, and create infrastructure to support them. <br /> <br />Mr. Re'Voal asked if Mr. Doppelt would suggest mandates for business. Mr. Doppelt said no; <br />he would recommend incentives as a more effective approach. Mr. Re'Voal noted diminishing <br />options for recycling, particularly for materials such as computers. He asked how that sector <br />could be grown without any return on the investment. Mr. Doppelt said there were several <br />products, particularly in the area of electronics, where there was not yet a market. He suggested <br />another issue to consider was how to design products that could be more easily recycled, which <br />could be a business opportunity. <br /> <br />Mr. Wanichek asked Mr. Doppelt if he could relate his remarks to those made by Mr. Roberts <br />about the importance of the traded sector. Mr. Doppelt said he thought they related well. <br />Stabilizing existing businesses and helping them to apply sustainable business practices will <br />reduce costs for all businesses, and new products tend to emerge from such efforts. That led to <br />new business opportunities. Then he would look to bring in traded jobs that filled a niche in the <br />clusters. <br /> <br />Mr. Korth said when attempting to apply green construction practices he found that even with <br />knowledgeable architects, there was still quite a bit of additional cost involved. He asked if that <br />would improve over time. Mr. Doppelt said yes. He said it was a supply and demand issue. <br />Prices in green construction were gradually coming down. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Mayor's Committee on Economic Development March 8, 2004 Page 6 <br /> <br /> <br />