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· Eugene lacks transportation access and it is difficult to get in and out of the community · Eugene is average in terms of employment and economic activity, but it is not an exciting place to do business · Eugene has little potential for economic growth · Eugene's economic trends have not been good · Eugene's industrial base is declining · The community lacks a common vision for economic development so those who oppose growth win the political battles--the community needs a vision that people can support · Eugene needs to first assess its opportunities-there were opportunities the community could leverage into the future · Eugene was unlikely to see a large industrial company move in and cannot count on such companies in the future · The University of Oregon was a major economic driver in the community and created the greatest opportunities for the community to leverage into a new economy in areas such as athletics, biotechnology, computer science, etc. · The community should nourish University research spin-offs · Education was an industry with the capacity for growth · The University's capital investments should be built upon · Medical services will be a major economic opportunity in the future and will be a growing industry for some time to come · Owners of vacant buildings in the commt~nity needed to make rent concessions to fill them, and needed to connect to new businesses and jobs Mr. Obie said economic development would not occur without a strong connection between the University, City, and the business community. Those entities needed to come together with a common agenda and a shared vision. Fulfilling the vision would require actions. He urged the committee to foster the connection. Mr. Obie said economic development was not "back room" stuff. It needed full disclosure and participation at all levels of the community. He invited questions. Ms. Pierce asked Mr. Obie if he had specific recommendations for the committee. Mr. Obie thought the council, as the authority that would adopt any recommendations, as well as the University and business community, should be involved in the work of the committee. If those entities were not in agreement, nothing would happen. Mr. Goldsmith asked Mr. Obie to discuss places he found economically exciting. Mr. Obie said that there was much going on in Portland, which had experienced similar economic difficulties. Downtown had vitality and activity, and things were being done that improved the economy. He said Portland had leadership that was willing to develop the riverfront in a manner that benefited the community. He noted Cincinnati, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and St. Louis had recently MINUTES--Mayor's Committee on Economic Development April 20, 2004 Page 2