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County clarifies economic goals Commissioners stress local business, job creating and upgrading wages By Dani Dodge If a Hyundai plant came to their door, Jackson County commissioners wouldn�t necessarily slam it closed, but they won�t be courting that particular homecoming queen, either. At an economic development goal-setting session Monday, commissioners concluded that the businesses they are most interested in attracting to Jackson County are those related to building materials, food industries and high tech. Those ideal businesses would employ between 50 and 500 people and pay salaries that average between $26,000 and $35,000 a year, plus benefits. "We�re trying to find businesses that fit our community," said Commissioner Ric Holt. "And we are desperately seeking businesses that will hire our people � not bring in a whole lot of new people." Those businesses the county will concentrate on luring will not be the flashy manufacturers like Hyundai that flirted with the county last year, interesting economic development officials with promises of high-paying jobs for 900 to 1,000 people. "This has all been about clarifying priorities," said Rob Pochert, the business development director at Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. "It was a surprise that Hyundai wasn�t there." Monday�s all-day goal-setting session was attended by all three county commissioners, the county�s economic development director, the county administrator, a representative of the state economic and community development department, and two people from SOREDI. A professional economic development facilitator, Audrey Taylor, led the session, which was paid for with lottery funds. Taylor � who works with cities and counties across the West � said the most remarkable thing she heard at the session was the commissioners� commitment to strengthening businesses already located in Jackson County. "This is the first time I�ve written the word commitment in the vision statement," Taylor said. "There seemed to be a real concern and commitment to take care of existing businesses ... and how they can intercede on their behalf." During the session, the commissioners developed an overarching goal: job creation that included upgrading jobs, increasing wage levels and making sure there are jobs for young workers. Their strategies included: Work force development � coordinating efforts of businesses and the higher education institutions in Jackson County so people are trained and ready to go into the work force. Product development � making sure that there is land and infrastructure available so companies can easily locate or expand in Jackson County. Business retention and expansion � working toward knocking down the state and federal regulatory barriers to economic success. Also, developing systems of keeping in touch with current businesses to make sure their needs are being met and they are able to expand if desired. Diversification � attracting a variety of businesses so the county is not overly dependent on one industry. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.