HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2 - Att B - AIS-EconDev2-10-AttachmentB (2)AB
TTACHMENT
Regional Economic Development Strategies
JEO Approval Date: September 14, 2009
Department: Planning and Development Staff Contact: Jon Ruiz, Gino Grimaldi, Jeff Spartz
www.ci.eugene.or.usContact Telephone Number: 682-5336
The following strategies developed by the TAG establish a vision for how the governments, businesses,
and community members can work together to help the Eugene-Springfield metro area achieve
economic sustainability. They establish a framework for decision-making for community partners within
Eugene, Springfield and Lane County.
1.Business Retention and Expansion
Support the Growth and Development of Existing Area Businesses to Achieve Quality Job
Creation.
We recognize the crucial role existing area businesses play in sustaining the health of the
local economy and in creating job opportunities. Efforts should be directed at supporting the
operating needs of local businesses as well as meeting their needs for expansion and growth.
Tactic 1:
Coordinate public capital and finance networks within the region to facilitate
business access to needed funding for continued operation and growth.
Tactic 2:
Develop or strengthen peer-to-peer support networks for businesses of any type
(start-up, existing, large, small, etc) for communicating regional information on
financing, physical development, locating, hiring, recruiting, training.
Tactic 3:
Assist businesses with site development or expansion through coordinated multi-
agency review of development permits. Develop methods and policies to
streamline the permitting process.
2.Entrepreneurial Infrastructure
Accelerate the Development of Entrepreneurial Infrastructure
. (Defined as those facilities and
services present within our region which encourage the creation of new ventures, and the growth and
development of small- and medium- sized enterprises).
Tactic 1:
Increase the amount of investment capital in our region by leveraging such groups as
the Willamette Angel Conference (WAC), the Southern Willamette Angel Network
(formerly Lane Venture Forum), the Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN), and the
investor relations programs led by the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce.
Tactic 2:
Expand the partnership with University of Oregon and Oregon State University in
bringing new technologies and innovations to market.
Tactic 3:
Improve the region’s deal flow for investors by accelerating start-ups that are
growth-ready, and providing educational opportunities for entrepreneurs to increase
their skills.
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3. Workforce Development
A.Train, attract and maintain a competitive workforce to meet the region’s current and
emerging industry needs and stimulate business development.
Foster a dynamic partnership
of education, industry, and workforce development to forecast, assess and meet the training
needs of existing and developing businesses.
Tactic 1:
Partner with local educational systems to enhance and align services to prepare local
residents with work readiness skills, including basic math and literacy skills,
necessary for success in all occupations.
Tactic 2:
Convene industry-interests panels to design and evaluate curricula to ensure that
local training programs meet industry needs.
Tactic 3:
Continue to build a culture that values learning, an entrepreneurial spirit, acceptance
and diversity, and creativity to continue to attract entrepreneurial and innovative
talent to our region.
Increase the ready workforce in Lane County by expanding access to academic and
B.
occupational training for all Lane County residents, particularly lower-skilled and lower-
wage workers.
We recognize the importance of a skilled workforce for the prosperity of the
region.
Tactic 1:
Connect basic skills training programs (e.g. G.E.D. preparation and English as a
Second Language) to post-secondary certificate or degree programs.
Tactic 2:
Partner with industry and education to encourage investment in training
opportunities for young people, such as internships and work experience
opportunities.
Tactic 3:
Support the local recognition of Career Readiness Certificates, a state-wide testing
and credentialing initiative to enhance workforce readiness.
4.Land and Physical Infrastructure
Prepare for the Land and Physical Infrastructure, in a timely fashion, that is necessary to
support Business Development and Stimulate Quality Job Creation.
Strengthenthe coordination
between infrastructure, planning and investments, land use, and economic development goals.
Tactic 1:
Inventory and evaluate underdeveloped space in an effort to assist business re-
locations in a timely fashion.
Tactic 2:
Integrate opportunistic economic development goals into land use and supply
analyses and policies.
Tactic 3:
Promote and build on the Region’s transportation, distribution and logistics
advantages.
Tactic 4:
Continue to work with property and business owners to expand, upgrade and
construct state-of-the-art facilities.
Tactic 5:
Streamline the regulatory processes to assist with site selection and development.
5.Economic Identity
Promote Awareness and Advocacy for the Region’s economic quality of life that continues to
support and attract the investment and innovative and entrepreneurial talent and builds on
our dynamic and diverse economic community.
Tactic 1:
Partner with local business and economic development organizations to develop and
implement an on-going public relations campaign that will promote the Region's
economic identity and successes, both internally and externally.
Tactic 2:
Promote the Region's strong willingness and ability to mentor and coach
entrepreneurs and businesses, and recognize the successes that grow from within this
network.
Tactic 3:
Promote and Celebrate the Region’s creative people who find success elsewhere and
find bridges for them to contribute back to our community.
Tactic 4:
Promote the region’s natural and cultural resources to enhance the cultural tourism
within the region.
6.Targeted Industries
A.Continue to support the development of our wealth generating sectors that have built a
strong economic foundation for our community and have complemented our region’s
quality of life, such as:
Transportation/Manufacturing
Wood Manufacturing
Health Care
Construction
B.Support development and growth in successful and emerging opportunity areas within the
local economy:
Health/Wellness
Advanced Manufacturing (technologically rich, innovative manufacturing)
Software
CleanTech/Renewable Energy
Biomedical
University of Oregon / Research & DevelopmentInstitutions
Tactic 1:
Identify strategies to address unique site and logistical needs of existing and
emerging industries.
Tactic 2:
Develop associations or networks among targeted cluster businesses for innovative
networking, information-sharing and to provide opportunities for business growth.
Tactic 3:
Pursue opportunities to expand and recruit businesses, ideas, and entrepreneurs into
our region that can enhance our existing businesses and community.
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