VanGordon: Four Ways to Turn Land Into Lane County Jobs
Lane County has lived with terrible economic news for the past three years. This recession has been deep, devastating, and personal. The recession exposed some serious, local economic flaws, but they are not new. They were already there. During the housing boom making money was easy, and it created strong economic growth. Either the economic boom hid our problems or we chose not to do anything about them.
We can’t fix the national economy, but we can make Lane County more competitive. Our economy is in the process of changing. Goods, services, and capital can move almost seamlessly between markets and regions. We are in a competition, and we have to make Lane County more competitive to succeed. Lane County is at a cross-roads. If we don’t do anything, then eventually the economy may grow enough to create low-wage jobs and the unemployment rate will go down. Our other choice is to work on creating smart economic policy that allows our private sector to be competitive for family wage jobs.
Jobs are created in the private sector. However, government policy impacts a community’s ability to create jobs and attract new businesses. In a series of articles I will share my thoughts on how to transform Lane County into an export-focused economy. I want to focus on manufacturing goods and providing services outside of Lane County. If we sell more goods outside the area, we create jobs.
Proper land use planning is the basis for solid economic growth. In the metro area there is a shortage of land to site businesses and residences on. Even if we attracted an employer requiring a large lot of land the metro area would have a tough time finding a location for that business. Lane County is less competitive in attracting new businesses because we don’t have locations that are ready for businesses to locate to. This is a serious disadvantage. Local governments have a variety of land use plans and procedures which can be used to address these problems.
Here are land-use issues that I believe will have an impact on our ability to build new businesses in the area, and my thoughts on them. These are all in the process of being completed. In the short term, effective land use planning provides certainty to the business community that there is space to locate or expand in the area.
- Springfield’s expansion of its Urban Growth Boundary to add 600 acres of commercial land to the city
By developing along I-5 Springfield businesses will be able to move goods to markets cheaply, which translates into a competitive advantage. From an economics perspective it makes no sense to continue to add larger industrial lots farther east. In the long term, I would like to see Springfield include part of Seavey Loop. If Springfield expands towards Seavey Loop it may make more sense for Springfield to also serve the Lane Community College (LCC) basin. Springfield may serve LCC cost effictively, and in the long term the LCC area may offer flat land for the city. A major challenge to growth in Springfield is the availability of flat land that isn’t farming land. Ideally, we would choose to expand in such a way so as to protect agricultural interests.
- Springfield’s completion of the Glenwood Refinement Plan including the Franklin Blvd. Expansion
The Glenwood Refinement Plan is the land use plan that outlines development guidelines for Glenwood. Without completing the plan extensive development of the Glenwood riverfront is impossible. While currently underdeveloped, it is centrally located in the metro area between downtown Springfield and the University of Oregon. It will provide an ideal multi-use location to live, work, and shop. It also provides a natural freeway entrance to the University of Oregon. As the University of Oregon continues to expand I hope it takes advantage of the opportunities that Glenwood provides.
- Eugene’s completion of the Envision Eugene Project
The Envision Eugene Project is Eugene’s review of its urban growth boundary. My opinion is that Eugene should expand toward the airport. I want Lane County to be able to compete for aviation and export businesses. Additional commercial land near the airport could open Lane County up to those type of businesses.
- Lane County’s work to develop Goshen
Could a freight-rail terminal be built in Goshen? Imagine moving our goods from trucks onto trains or vice versa. Freight rail isn’t as politically popular as passenger high speed rail, but it makes sense. Rail is a very cost efficient way to move commercial goods to the market. When businesses have more options for moving heavy freight it will lower the impact on our road system.
For local governments, completing these land use planning projects is a critical economic policy. It is the first step toward re-inventing our local economy. We will have available land to expand our business and commercial base. We will have the room to attract the types of businesses that create family wage jobs, provide benefits, and protect the middle class. Like I said, this is the first step.
In future articles for Lane Solutions I will discuss the importance of education, the University of Oregon, Health Care, and international trade in creating Lane County jobs.
Sean VanGordon
Springfield City Council, Ward 1
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