State of Oregon, Economic and Community Development Department - "e-Developments"
 

New industrial lands committee to identify premium industrial sites
In order to strengthen Oregon's competitive environment for economic development and job creation, business professionals, community leaders and development experts from throughout the state will join together to establish Oregon's first Industrial Lands Advisory Committee.

The advisory committee, created pursuant to House Bill 2011 adopted by Oregon's 72nd Legislative Assembly, has the mandate of identifying 25 industrial sites of "statewide significance" that offer, in particular, a high potential for job creation. These premium "opportunity sites" will be chosen from an inventory of identified locations prepared by regional development officers with Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD).

"Communities with assets in place like 'shovel-ready' industrial sites have strategic edge when it comes to attracting and retaining business," said Marty Brantley, OECDD director. "The advisory committee has deep expertise and experience in economic development, which will guide them in selecting Oregon's most advantageous business sites of the future."

Members of the task force represent all parts of the state and include city and county leaders. They are: Lindsay Berryman, mayor of Medford; Greg Specht, president of Specht Properties in Portland; Tom Zelenka, vice president for environmental and public affairs with The Schnitzer Group in Portland; Mike McArthur, Sherman County Judge; Jean Wood, vice president of Mhi Real Estate Development and Asset Management in Redmond; Steve Clark, president and publisher of Community Newspapers in Beaverton; Jim Mark, CEO of Melvin Mark Companies in Portland; Dick Sheehy, Manager of Site Selection with IDC-CH2MHill in Portland; and Chuck Rouse, formerly of Pioneer Bank in Baker City.
 

Excerpt from House Bill 2011:

SECTION 11.  { + As used in sections 10 to 21 of this 2003 Act,
unless the context requires otherwise, 'traded sector' has the
meaning given that term in ORS 285A.010. + }

SECTION 12.  { + (1) The Economic Revitalization Team
established pursuant to section 13 of this 2003 Act, in
conjunction with the Economic and Community Development
Department, shall work with local governments, as defined in ORS
174.116, and affected state agencies to identify and prioritize
up to 25 sites to be used for industrial or traded sector uses.
  (2) The team, and the department, shall identify sites that are
consistent with data collected by the department from businesses
seeking to locate or expand in Oregon and shall prioritize sites
that are:
  (a) Of sufficient size to meet industrial or traded sector
needs, as expressed in inquiries received by the department from
businesses seeking to locate or expand in Oregon;
  (b) Owned and held in a manner that facilitates efficient
industrial or traded sector development;
  (c) Within the jurisdiction of a local government that shows a
willingness to cooperate in siting new development;
  (d) Served by necessary public facilities and infrastructure,
including transportation facilities, or such facilities and
infrastructure can be provided within a reasonable period of
time;
  (e) Subject to few, if any, environmental constraints, or
constraints that can be mitigated within a reasonable period of
time; and Enrolled House Bill 2011 (HB 2011-C)                    
  (f) Zoned in a manner that allows the desired industrial or
traded sector development, or can be zoned in that manner within
a reasonable period of time.
  (3) At least one of the 25 sites must be in eastern Oregon, as
defined in ORS 321.405. Preference must be given to a site that:
  (a) Is contiguous to a city's urban growth boundary on the
effective date of this 2003 Act;
  (b) Contains at least 100 acres;
  (c) Is not composed predominantly of agricultural soils in soil
classes I, II, III or IV or a combination of those soil classes;
  (d) Is not in farm use, as defined in ORS 215.203, on the date
of the first public hearing for the proposal to amend the urban
growth boundary;
  (e) Is served by adequate transportation, sewer and water
facilities or is located where adequate services can be made
available within 12 months after the date the site is to be added
to the urban growth boundary; and
  (f) Is planned and zoned only for industrial or traded sector
development, and ancillary uses necessary for the development.
  (4) To assist the team, and the department, in identifying and
prioritizing sites under this section, the Director of the
Economic and Community Development Department shall convene an
advisory committee consisting of eight members, including a
county representative and a city representative, who are
knowledgeable about the need for and requirements of industrial
and traded sector development and the availability of land for
industrial or traded sector development within the state.
  (5) The team, and the department, shall identify and prioritize
sites under this section not later than December 15, 2003. + }

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