EXHIBIT R Page 94 <br />B. Economic Element <br />In recent years, there has been a strong structural shift in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan <br />area's economy. This shift is characterized by four trends: (a) a decline in the lumber and wood <br />products industry as a source of employment; (b) limited increase in employment in other <br />manufacturing activities; (c) diversification of the non-manufacturing segments of the local <br />economy, primarily in trade, services, finance, insurance, and real estate; and (d) the <br />development of this metropolitan area as a regional trade and service center serving southern and <br />eastern Oregon. <br />The decline in lumber and wood products and diversification of the non-manufacturing sectors <br />are consistent with changes that are occurring in other portions of the state and throughout the <br />nation as a result of rising real incomes and higher productivity of labor in manufacturing. The <br />increase in employment in other manufacturing activities in this area has lagged behind other <br />portions of the state, particularly the Portland area, and many other places in the nation. <br />Given the projected growth in this area's economy, it is essential that an adequate supply <br />(quantitatively and qualitatively) of commercial and industrial land be available. An adequate <br />supply of land includes not only sites sufficient in size to accommodate the needs of the <br />commercial or industrial operations (including expansion), but also includes sites which are <br />attractive from the standpoint of esthetics, transportation costs, labor costs, availability of skilled <br />labor, natural resource availability, proximity to markets, and anticipated growth of local <br />markets. <br />In striving toward the Land Conservation and Development Commission's (LCDC) Statewide <br />Planning Goal 9: Economic Development, "To provide adequate opportunities throughout the <br />state_for_a variety uf-economicactivities _vital _to the heal nsperi.-.-of Oregon's <br />citizens,"_d r~i ve tl~ e~Qr~vm of the-State-," the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan <br />area must take advantage of and encourage the further diversification of this area's economic <br />activities and role as a regional center. <br />This diversification and growth can improve the opportunities for presently underutilized human <br />resources and generally raise the standard of living for metropolitan area residents. <br />Implicit in the goals and objectives that follow is the premise that the economic health of the area <br />is integrally related to the quality of life for residents. Improved welfare of the residents of the <br />metropolitan area, measured by increases in employment opportunities and reductions in <br />unemployment, increases in real incomes, and improved environmental quality are the ultimate <br />goals of all economic efforts. Economic growth or industrial expansion is acceptable when it is <br />consistent with these goals and objectives. <br />Goal <br />Broaden improve and diversify the metropolitan economy while maintaining or enhancing the <br />environment. <br />LKel Ridge Record (Z 15-5) III-B-1 Page 413 <br />