HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 3: Regional Economic Development Plan
City Manager’s Office
City of Eugene
700 Pearl Street
M
Eugene, Oregon 97401
EMORANDUM
(541) 682-5010
(541) 682-5414 FAX
www.eugene-or.gov
Date: June 10, 2010
To: Joint Elected Officials
From: Jon Ruiz, City of Eugene Manager
Gino Grimaldi, City of Springfield Manager
Jeff Spartz, Lane County Administrator
REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN: Progress Update
Subject:
Since March 2009, the Joint Elected Officials (JEO) have had several discussions and taken action on the
current state of the regional economy. On February 26, 2010 the JEO approved a regional economic
development plan. (See Attachment A for the Building Our Next Economy – Regional Prosperity Economic
Development Plan.) This memo provides an update on work currently underway to support the six strategies
outlined in the plan. The work represents a significant partnership of many of the region’s institutions and
organizations to move forward with well-developed and newly emerging actions.
BACKGROUND
In March 2009, the JEO first expressed an interest in holding a Regional Economic Summit to coordinate a
collaborative response to the economic situation and formed a sub-committee (ED Task Force) for this purpose.
In June 2009, the JEO approved a framework for developing a regional economic development plan to better
position our regional economy to take advantage of economic opportunities that align with our area’s assets and
values.
A Technical Advisory Group (TAG) composed of key stakeholders in our regional economy drafted a
recommended list of strategies and tactics to encourage regional economic development. At the September
meeting, the JEO approved the recommended draft list and asked that it be reviewed at the economic summit
organized by the ED Task Force.
The strategies were reviewed and discussed at a Regional Prosperity Summit on November 19, 2009. With over
300 participants, the Summit provided broad community input on where our region needs to go and offered
insights into the initiatives that government leaders should advance. Following the summit, the JEO approved a
regional economic plan at the February 26, 2010 meeting. The plan includes five principals, six strategies, and
seven critical initiatives. The six strategies are listed below with their more formal name in parentheses.
1. Business Expansion and Retention (Growing Local Opportunities)
2. Entrepreneurial Infrastructure (Creative Economy)
3. Workforce Development (Talent for Tomorrow)
4. Land and Physical Infrastructure (Basic Needs of Business)
5. Economic Identity (Quality of Life)
6. Targeted Industries (Key Industries)
PROGRESS
Though the initial discussions were driven by the three JEO jurisdictions, the work to implement the strategies
necessitates a much broader partnership of institutions and organizations. The matrix in Attachment B lists the
strategies and a summary of the actions (based on initiatives/tactics) that are progressing with the lead
organization(s) and the status. The 17 individual actions are led by 10 different organizations. Some of the
actions reflect previously implemented or ongoing work that is now set in the context of the regional economic
development plan. Many of these actions, however, are new and being implemented in direct response to the
JEO’s work. Lane County, the City of Eugene, and the Eugene Chamber of Commerce have also each taken
action or are scheduled to increase resources to support economic development. Below are a few highlights of
the work in progress for each strategy.
1. Business Retention and Expansion: The Lane Community College Small Business Development
Center is the lead in convening a group of service partners to form a one-stop service center to assist
area businesses. Participating partners include: Lane Council of Governments, City of Eugene, City of
Springfield, Lane County, and eDev. Plans are underway to provide a centralized service and referral
program for businesses in the region with both physical locations and a well developed web presence.
The combination of LCC’s presence throughout the county, together with dynamic web-based education
and information tools will greatly enhance businesses’ access to and benefit from these services. A
seamless referral system will create ready access to the variety of assistance and financial programs
offered by the other partners.
2. Entrepreneurial Infrastructure: The Eugene Chamber of Commerce sponsors both the ongoing Southern
Willamette Angel Network and the annual Willamette Angel Conference. The Network hopes to
stimulate regional investor interest to work with and fund emerging enterprises. The conference is
designed to generate interest and participation among both investors and emerging enterprises. The
conference was successfully completed in May and included the recruitment and training of 33 angel
investors from the Willamette Valley, 17 from Eugene/Springfield. The Chamber is committed to
growing this effort.
3. Workforce Development: The Lane Workforce Partnership has undertaken a wide variety of actions to
support the training needs of both workers and industry. The importance of matching training offerings
with the needs of regional industries was stressed during the Summit. Lane Workforce has convened a
number of industry-interest panels to help calibrate training curricula to the needs of industry. Lane
Workforce is currently convening the following industry groups: Lane Manufacturing Skills Alliance,
the Community Healthcare Education Network, and the Green Jobs Taskforce.
4. Land and Physical Infrastructure: Both the cities of Eugene and Springfield have been assessing
commercial and industrial land supplies. Eugene has completed its Comprehensive Land Assessment
(ECLA) process. During the Envision Eugene process, the City will consider land supply together with
economic development goals. The City of Springfield has concluded its commercial/industrial lands
analyses. Springfield is working on local Economic Development objectives and strategies that will
factor into discussions of supply adequacy, redevelopment goals and discussion of the urban growth
boundary.
5. Economic Identity: A robust marketing/branding effort led by Travel Lane County will enhance
business awareness of assistance resources and contribute to the region’s economic identity. Both the
cities of Eugene and Springfield continue to work on downtown vibrancy as part of the strategy to
attract and retain business investment and a talented workforce. Eugene is moving ahead with the Beam
redevelopment, the construction of the LCC downtown center, improvements to the public markets and
expanded public safety services. Springfield is working on a Downtown District Urban Design Plan and
Implementation Strategy to help guide upcoming urban renewal investments.
6. Targeted Industries: Lane County staff have been working on several potential clean-tech industry
developments. Lane County has been providing feasibility analyses, site consultation, research support,
and assistance with funding options. City of Eugene staff have been collaborating with Lane county on
proposed developments inside Eugene.
NEXT STEPS
Significant progress has been made on a variety of initiatives that advance the goals of the JEO plan and the
approved strategies. The following are suggested next steps to build upon this momentum.
?
Continued development of business assistance efforts with emphasis on the “seamless” referral system,
web based tools and marketing and outreach efforts.
?
Expansion of efforts to assist entrepreneurial development emphasizing peer networks, funding tools and
enhancing community connections with The University of Oregon and Lane Community College.
?
Convention of a youth career awareness task force of education, labor and business representatives by Lane
Workforce Partnership to explore the development of a campaign to promote awareness of “middle skills”
jobs and careers throughout Lane County.
?
Collaboration between Lane Workforce Partnership and Lane Community College, the Oregon
Employment Department, and the Oregon Workforce Investment Board, to implement a National Career
Readiness Certificate initiative in the Fall of 2010.
?
Completion of land analyses by the Cities of Eugene and Springfield, together with consideration of
economic development goals.
?
Continued work on cultural and amenity projects that contribute to the region’s economic identity
including downtown redevelopment and the proposed indoor track facility.
?
Expansion of the number of contributing partners; formalizing the acceptance of the regional economic
development plan among the partners; and encouraging each to make a specific commitment of program
effort and resources
ATTACHMENTS
A. Building Our Next Economy – Regional Prosperity Economic Development Plan
B. Progress Matrix – Regional Economic Development Plan
February 26, 2010
Attachment A
[Document Title]
Regional Prosperity Economic
Development Plan
Approved by the Joint Elected Officials on
by
Jon Ruiz, City Manager, Eugene
Gino Grimaldi, City Manager, Springfield
Jeff Spartz, Lane County Administrator
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHY DO WE CARE? 2
H 2
OW WE GOT HERE
OUR NEXT ECONOMY 4
4
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
5
LAUNCHING US INTO THE NEXT ECONOMY
TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP MEMBERSHIP 9
1
WHY DO WE CARE?
The citizens of the Eugene-Springfield metro area have felt the burden of the
financial crisis more so than in other counties and other states. The decline in
local jobs, is putting a strain on city, county and state budgets and programs.
The Eugene-Springfield metro area unemployment rate in July 2009 was 12.5%,
a 6-percentage point increase over the last year, which is slightly higher than the
state unemployment rate of 11.9%. The decline in the availability of local jobs
has put increased pressure on social services. The number of cases in the
federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program for our local district
has increased 18.5 percentage points over the past year. The number of
applications for low-income housing in Lane County in 2008 increased 13
percentage points compared to the previous year. These programs are
indicative that the economic crisis has significantly impacted our local economy
and that the need for a regional, long-term strategy for not only economic
recovery, but also economic prosperity is strong.
HOW WE GOT HERE
The region’s Joint Elected Officials, the City Councils of Eugene, Springfield, and
the Lane County Commissioners, were seeking a way to respond to our
economic crisis. The JEO put forward challenging goals:
“By 2020, create 20,000 net new jobs in the chosen economic
opportunity areas; reduce the local unemployment rate to, or below the
state average; and increase the average wage to or above the state
average.”
2
The elected officials also put forward a few guiding principles to help focus and
steer strategies towards those that would be most compatible with the assets
“Members of our
and values of the region. Resource challenge, science and knowledge based,
communities are in
globally interdependent, innovation driven.
need. Housing
The JEO formed a technical advisory group (TAG) composed of key business
prices have fallen
leaders and critical area partners who had a passion for our regional
and we've seen
community, and was requested to develop recommendations on how to move
our economy forward. This group crafted a set of strategies that the region unprecedented
should focus on to influence the economic development of the region. The
levels of
strategies were then tested and discussed at a Regional Economic Summit
unemployment.
held in November 2009. With over 300 participants, the Summit provided a
Those with jobs are
broad community response to where our region needs to go and offered
not seeing the
insights into the initiatives that government leaders need to embark on.
growth
opportunities once
PRINCIPLES
available through
The elected officials from our region set a goal for the region to work towards,
their employers.
as well as a few guiding principles that were used to help focus the strategies
We need economic
towards those that would be compatible with the assets and values our region
development
boasts.
policies that
Healthy Living
– Championing businesses and entrepreneurs that promote a
address these
healthy, safe, and clean community while enhancing, protecting, and making
concerns and we
wise use of our natural resources.
need to work
Smart Growth –
Encourage a culture of entrepreneurship and re-investment
together to create
into our local community.
an economy that
provides those
Be Prepared –
Develop the region’s physical, social, educational, and
workforce infrastructure to meet the needs of tomorrow.
good jobs now."
Local Independence –
Promote local businesses and entrepreneurs that lead
Lane County
our area to a higher level of economic independence and resilience.
Commissioner Pete
Sorenson
Regional Identity –
Create a stronger economic personality that celebrates our
region’s attributes and values.
3
“
A talented
workforce is
the key to our
region’s
economic
success.
Building
programs,
partnerships
and a regional
OUR NEXT ECONOMY
culture that
values learning
and
STRATEGIES FOR THE NEXT ECONOMY
entrepreneurial
spirit and
The TAG recommended a set of high-priority strategies for the region. These
strategies create the vision for how governments, businesses, and community
creativity will
members can work together to help the Eugene-Springfield metro area achieve
help us grow,
economic sustainability. This set of strategies were tested at the Regional
and attract
Economic Summit and proved to successful in establish a framework for
decision-making for community partners within Eugene, Springfield, and Lane
innovative
County.
talent to our
region.”
GROWING LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES
Our region should take initiatives that support the growth and development of
local businesses that generate quality jobs. We recognize the crucial role
Richard
existing area businesses play in sustaining the health of the local economy and
in creating job opportunities. Efforts should be directed at supporting the
Lariviere,
oper
University of
ating
need
Oregon
s of
President, from
local
“There are some that will say the goals are too big. That we
busi
his keynote
ness won’t be able to both decrease unemployment and increase
address at the
es
median income… There are some that will continue to say we
as
won’t be able to work together as jurisdictions. I think that what
Regional
well
we have today and as we move forward, is proving that that
Prosperity
as
isn’t the case. That there is a commitment to doing all of those
meet
Summit.
kinds of things.”
ing
their
- Jon Ruiz, City Manager, Eugene
need
s for
4
expansion and growth.
CREATIVE ECONOMY
The Eugene-Springfield metro area needs to work towards providing easier and
faster access to resources for start-ups and new ventures. We need to enhance
and connect facilities, networks, and services within our region to encourage the
creation of new ventures, and the growth and development of small- and
medium-sized enterprises.
TALENT FOR TOMORROW
We need to appeal to the next generation of “knowledge workers.” We need to
look for initiatives that will help us train, attract, and maintain a competitive
workforce that meets emergency industry needs, stimulates business
development, and highlights the vitality and appeal of our region. Fostering a
dynamic partnership between education, industry, and workforce development to
forecast and meet the training needs of area businesses is crucial for our
region’s citizens and businesses.
We recognize the importance of a skilled workforce for the prosperity of the
region. By expanding access to academic and occupation training for all Lane
County residents, with special focus given to lower-skilled and lower-wage
workers, we can expand the ready workforce in Lane County.
BASIC NEEDS OF BUSINESS
In order to meet the very basic needs of any business, we need to prepare the
infrastructure, land, and workspace to provide for future growth. Initiatives should
strengthen the coordination between infrastructure, planning and investments,
land use, and economic development goals to create attractive and modern
business locations.
LIVE THE GOOD LIFE
Our area boasts the physical beauty, and natural and recreational amenities that
create a lifestyle that few would contest. We need to promote the region’s quality
of life that attracts people to the area and builds on our dynamic community. Our
region’s economic quality of life benefits from the staying power businesses have
because their employees choose to live and grow in our community.
KEY INDUSTRIES
We can continue to support the development of sectors that have built a strong
economic foundation for our community and have complemented our region’s
quality of life, such as:
?
Transportation/Manufacturing
5
?
Wood Manufacturing
?
Health Care
“Economic
?
Construction
recovery and our
The region should also focus on developing our innovative culture to support
very future,
the emerging opportunities within our local economy, such as:
depends on a
?
Health/Wellness
strong, healthy
?
Advanced Manufacturing (technologically rich, innovative
education system.
manufacturing)
We are proud of
?
Software
?
Clean Tech / Renewable Energy
the quality of
?
Biomedical
students produced
in our metro area
and we must
LAUNCHING US INTO THE NEXT ECONOMY
continue to
The Regional Prosperity Summit gathered leaders from business,
creatively focus
government and the community and honed in on the critical initiatives that
on developing our
will launch our region into the next economy.
future workforce
right here at
home.”
NETWORKS, NETWORKS, AND MORE NETWORKS
Networks are needed for several types of information. A stronger network of
financiers will help to bring more innovative ideas to market. As more
entrepreneurs are trying to sell their services and products, a network of
Springfield
marketers will be useful. As the new businesses begin to grow, a network of
Mayor Sid
mentors are needed to help those new businesses through their growth
stages. A “Birth to Three” network for entrepreneurs will create an
Leiken
environment for the entrepreneur where they can get the help they need
when they needed.
Create a Birth to Three network where entrepreneurs, business
?
owners/managers can go for mentorship in the major areas of
running a business, such as financial management, marketing,
production, leadership, etc.
THE HEART OF LANE BUSINESS
The most common recommendation from the Regional Prosperity Summit
was a one-stop resource center for all things business. An entrepreneur
could come to this information hub, both physically and virtually, and receive
troubleshooting assistance on financing, marketing, or leadership,
connections to other agencies and department, enrollment into business
trainings, and an enrollment into an appropriate network for ongoing support.
6
This business assistance center acts as the expert in regional resources for
“Our region is
entrepreneurs and business owners of all kind. It is the heart to Lane County
business development.
blessed with
tremendous
Create a business assistance center where entrepreneurs, business
?
owners/managers can go, whether virtually or physically, to get
assets and a
information and assistance related to business management and growth
wealth of
within our region.
local
A LEARNING COMMUNITY
ingenuity,
and this
Summit participants expressed the needs to improve the basic and applied skills
Summit is an
of young people in the region as they prepare to enter the labor force. Active
partnerships between the business community and local schools were suggested
opportunity
with a focus on work experience through internships and mentorships. This type
for us to work
of business-to-school partnership represents a real opportunity to provide young
workers-to-be with valuable economic life skills.
together to
best
Improve the basic and applied skills of young people in the region as
?
they prepare to enter the labor force. This effort must begin with school
capitalize on
readiness for kindergarten, ensure high school graduation, include
those assets
vocational/technical training, and internships and mentorships, and
provide paths to higher education.
and develop
creative
A FOCUSED REGION
strategies
Our regional values need to drive the creation of our regional economic identity.
and actions
Marketing a regional identity will increase our area’s ability to maintain a
to move our
sustainable competitive advantage in a global marketplace. Our identity
economy
influences the regional behavior in the marketplace and describes our
community’s values to businesses and talent around the world. A regional
forward.”
identity will help us align our strategies, our resources, our partnerships, and our
assets for economic success.
Eugene
Create a regional economic identity, capitalizing on assets that will
?
Mayor Kitty
identify our region as a significant economic center.
Piercy, from
NEW PARTNERS
her opening
remarks at
New investment coming to the region will be an important complement to the
growth of local business in providing for the region’s future economic health. A
the
Regional
sustained effort to reach out to prospective investment, respond to their
Prosperity
questions and needs, and successfully recruit new businesses to the area is an
Summit.
important part of a sound economic development strategy. Many of these efforts
are already in place. The region also has an important partnership with the State
of Oregon to address national and international markets.
7
Develop and sustain a business expansion, attraction and retention
?
program with emphasis on traded-sector companies. Sustain and
expand the economic recruitment efforts in place for the region. The
partnership with the State of Oregon should also be further fostered and
developed. The regional identity (addressed in the previous initiative)
will be used to refine and focus the efforts.
URBAN VITALITY
The distinctiveness of a region and a community is an important asset in
retaining talent and businesses, as well as attracting new talent and investment.
The region has always been fortunate to have many such “place-based” assets
in its outdoor recreational amenities and great variety of natural features. The
emergence of the creative economy has created new interest in urban
downtowns as entertainment and cultural centers. Both Eugene and Springfield,
as well as many of the smaller communities in the region, recognize the
importance of supporting and enhancing vitality in their downtowns. Building
downtowns as places to live, work and play will support the retention and
expansion of the existing business community and be a significant asset to
attract new investment.
The Cities of Eugene and Springfield should continue and enhance their
?
efforts to promote downtown vitality through development and
redevelopment. Other Cities in the region should also look for
opportunities to enhance core commercial and downtown areas as part
of their economic development strategies.
Inventory and assess adequacy of industrial land availability in support of
?
expansion, attraction and retention in conjunction with comprehensive
land assessment process.
A REGION WORKING TOGETHER
One common thread of feedback from the Regional Prosperity Summit was the
positive direction that our government leaders are taking by pulling our
communities together to act as one economic region. Moving forward as one
region, not several, will create a positive inertia that will move us forward into the
next economy faster than if we work alone. Our next economy will be stronger
and more resilient by moving forward together.
Create a Regional Prosperity Council that acts as the guiding coalition
?
for the implementation of the regional strategy; initiates and presides
over an on-going conversation on topics such as demographic shifts,
applications of emerging technologies and best practices in supporting
the strategy.
8
“Collectively, we move towards that which we
believe to be true. If we believe we will be able
to reap prosperity in this region, decrease
unemployment, increase median income, we
are encouraged and hopeful that we will move
in that direction. ”
?
Jon Ruiz, City Manager, Eugene
9
TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUP MEMBERS:
Dave Hauser, Eugene Chamber of Commerce
Caroline Cummings, Eugene Chamber of Commerce
Dan Egan, Springfield Chamber of Commerce
Natasha Boska, Springfield Chamber of Commerce
Jack Roberts, Lane Metro Partnership
Tim Duy, University of Oregon
--
Shawn WinklerRios, EDev
Sue Kesey, Springfield Creamery
Nancy Bigley, Outback Steakhouse
Ann Marie Mehlum, Summit Bank
Chuck Forster, Lane Workforce Partnership
Robin Onaclea, Lane Workforce Partnership
Leroy Marney, President Lane,Coos,Curry,Douglas Counties, Oregon State Building Trades Council
Jon Ruiz, City Manager, Eugene
Gino Grimaldi, City Manager, Springfield
Jeff Spartz, Lane County Administrator
10
Progress Matrix:
Regional Economic Development Plan
Attachment B
Action
Strategy Lead Status
(based on Initiatives/Tactics)
One-Stop Business Assistance Center
: Provide easy LCC Plans are underway. LCC convened a group consisting of the cities of
#1
access to business assistance services. Physical Business Eugene and Springfield, Lane County, and e-Dev. Working with
Business Retention
locations, web presence, seamless referral to other Development marketing consultant on web development and communications
& Expansion
agencies and institutions. Center strategy.
(Growing Local
Opportunities)
County has hired full-time staff to work on business development issues
Small Cities/Rural Initiative:
Provide staff and
in the small cities and rural areas. Currently working with a dozen
financial resources to support business development Lane County
opportunities. County may also provide financial support through lottery
opportunities in the “balance of the County.”
funding mechanisms.
Expanded Small Business Assistance:
Assist start-The Eugene Chamber will fund a new, ongoing position to provide
Eugene
ups and existing businesses with information, training, support to new ventures as part of a multi-faceted Chamber strategy that
Chamber
and resolution of issues. aligns with elements of the Regional Economic Development Strategy.
LCOG provides small business loans through Federal SBA, EDA and
LCOG; rural development programs (annual volume ~ $10 million). City of
Business Financing:
Provide supplementary finance
Cities of Eugene provides small business loans through the Business
programs to assist with business development and
Eugene Development Fund (annual volume ~ $1 million) and provides
expansion. Use public financing programs to enhance
& downtown development loans (annual volume ~ $1.2 million). City of
businesses’ access to conventional financing sources.
Springfield Springfield has limited funds within CDBG targeted Downtown area for
annual allocation of funds.
#2
Willamette Angel Network:
The Eugene Chamber
Chamber supported the Willamette Angel Conference (May 13) and
Entrepreneurial
sponsors both the ongoing Southern Willamette Angel
included the recruitment and training of 33 angel investors from the
Infrastructure
Network and the annual Willamette Angel Conference Eugene
Willamette Valley, 17 from Eugene/Springfield. Good Clean Love, a
to stimulate regional investor interest to work with and Chamber
(Creative Economy) Eugene company, received an investment award in the presentation
fund emerging enterprises. The Chamber is committed
competition.
to growing this effort. The Network hopes to.
Business and Industry Cluster/Associations:
Work
on the development of industrial clusters, associations, Eugene Chamber announced business support program including
and networks to encourage general business growth Chamber Cluster/Association work as part of a multi-faceted program.
and development within targeted industries.
Action
Strategy Lead Status
(based on Initiatives/Tactics)
e-Dev provides a countywide program to support the training, technical
(#2 continued)
Micro-Enterprise Development
: Provide training,
assistance needs of emerging micro-enterprises. The cities of Eugene
technical assistance, and financing to support the e-Dev
and Springfield and Lane County provide partial funding for e-Dev
development of micro-enterprises.
programs.
Match Training to Industry Needs
: Convene
#3
Lane Currently convening the following industry groups to review training
industry-interest panels to design and evaluate
Workforce
Workforce programs: Lane Manufacturing Skills Alliance, the Community
curricula to ensure that local training programs meet
Development
Partnership Healthcare Education Network, and the Green Jobs Taskforce.
industry needs.
(Talent for
Tomorrow)
Lane Workforce Partnership is actively working with the business
Work Experience for Youth
: Partner with industry Lane
community to provide youth with work experiences. This last year, 399
and educational institutions to encourage investment in Workforce
work experience positions and 21 internship opportunities were
training, internship and work experience for youth. Partnership
provided for youth.
Lane Workforce provides work readiness services through WorkSource
Enhance Workforce Readiness:
Fund basic skills
Lane Lane customers. Last year 11,474 WorkSource customers took Basic
training and promote Career Readiness Certificates, a
Workforce Skills assessments testing and 499 took Basic Skills Classes. Planning is
statewide basic skills testing and credentialing
Partnership underway to implement a Career Readiness Certificate program in Lane
initiative.
County.
Train Laid-Off Workers and Low-Income Adults
Lane Lane Workforce Partnership awarded over 600 retraining scholarships
for In Demand Jobs:
Increase training and
Workforce to laid-off workers and low-income adults to train in higher wage/high
employment opportunities in higher wage, high
Partnership demand occupations.
demand occupations.
Land Supply:
Assess existing land supply related to City of Eugene has concluded its Comprehensive Land Assessment
#4
industry development needs, redevelopment, and City of process. Next phase is the Envision Eugene process that will include
Land & Physical
targeted industries goals. Determine specific site Eugene review of commercial and industrial land supply with consideration of
Infrastructure
characteristics needed to address these goals. economic development goals.
(Basic Needs of
Business)
Springfield concluded its commercial/industrial buildable lands
analyses. Springfield and Lane County Planning Commissions have
City of recommended, among other related issues, adoption of economic
Springfield development objectives and strategies, needed land supplies,
redevelopment goals, and land-use efficiency measures for Springfield’s
urban growth boundary.
2
Action
Strategy Lead Status
(based on Initiatives/Tactics)
Establish common messaging/branding
: Bring
#5
st
together major public & private parties involved in area Travel Lane TLC coordinated 1 meeting, May 27, both cities, County, UO, and both
Economic Identity
marketing to coordinate messaging and develop a County Chambers were involved. Group to continue working on these issues.
(Live the Good Life)
common strategy.
Reinforce vibrant Downtown Centers
: Encourage a
City of Eugene is moving forward with a mix of downtown projects to
rich mix of commercial, cultural, and residential City of
enliven activity and support development in the core, including: LCC’s
activity in the region’s downtowns as part of the Eugene
downtown center, the Beam redevelopment, improvements for the
strategy to grow, foster, and attract business investment
public markets and expansion of public safety services.
and a talented workforce.
City of Springfield has a consultant working with the Downtown
Advisory Committee on a Downtown District Urban Design Plan and
City of
Implementation Strategy to help guide upcoming urban renewal
Springfield
investments, activities, and programs and to focus redevelopment in
downtown and Glenwood.
Major Indoor Track Center
: Promote development
TLC is working with the Oregon Track Club the UO and other partners
of a regional indoor track facility to expand
Travel Lane to pursue development. This facility is seen as a major component in the
infrastructure and to support a broader range of event
County strategy to secure future bids for major collegiate events and future
programming. Development of this facility supports
Olympic Trials.
the “Track Town USA” regional economic identity.
#6
Identify the “basic needs” of targeted industries; Partnership collecting siting & infrastructure data from consultant, State
Targeted
Develop strategy:
Understand the infrastructure and Lane Metro Economic Development and others. Cities considering needs of target
Industries
site requirements of targeted industries. Develop a Partnership industries in planning efforts. Springfield has proposed adoption of its
strategy. economic development objectives and strategies for targeted industries.
(Key Industries)
County staff have been working on a range of potential clean tech
Support the emerging Clean Tech Industry
: Provide industry developments to be sited at various locations. Staff has
technical assistance and financial incentives to provided research support, site consultation, and assistance with funding
Lane County
encourage clean tech development. options. City of Eugene staff are collaborating on a potential
development in Eugene.
City of Eugene staff working with an additional clean tech development
City of
proposal, providing siting and funding consultation. Lane County staff
Eugene
also providing support to this project.
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