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OUTDOOR RECREATION County seeks project ideas Outdoor recreation could lead to economic development Comment By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman Posted May. 25, 2016 at 5:25 PM Updated May 25, 2016 at 5:29 PM By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman Posted May. 25, 2016 at 5:25 PM Updated May 25, 2016 at 5:29 PM » Social News Jackson County is going on a fishing expedition of sorts to see whether there are fresh ideas for creating new or expanded outdoor recreation opportunities here that just need a little seed money or governmental know-how to get them going. The bait is the possibility of technical assistance and help getting permits — and perhaps even some funding — to add outdoor recreation infrastructure that not only draws tourists and improves livability but also, in time, could lure businesses here. "That dual synergy is what is ideal," says Jay Harland, a planning representative and vice chair of the county's Economic Development Advisory Committee. "That's really where the economic development bang for the buck comes in. "It's worked elsewhere, where outdoor recreation investment translates into long-term economic development," Harland says. The county is in the midst of looking for such projects, if they exist. The county Board of Commissioners is asking for formal proposals from people, nonprofits, local governments and others for potential projects that would fit this bill, along with estimates of what kind of money and help they'd need from the county to get them rolling. No money has been set aside for these projects, no staff time has been pledged and no promises have been made. But the formal request for proposals says the board will consider up to $100,000 in cash and that much in technical assistance should proposed projects warrant such help. "There may be some really neat projects that just need a little help getting started," says John Vial, the county's roads and parks director. "The board is saying, let's see if there are any out there." While no proposals are on the table yet, Harland expects to see at least a handful by the June 17 deadline. "Is this a solution looking for a problem or is this a real issue?" Harland says. "If so, then we should get several proposals." The search is the brainchild of an advisory committee that has been surveying the economic landscape the past four years looking for avenues to spur economic development and ways to entice new businesses to locate here. Over time, the committee has landed on three priorities: outdoor recreation/tourism; agriculture infrastructure, such as the massive WISE plan to improve irrigation water-delivery efficiencies; and intellectual property-based development, such as inventions or artistic endeavors. The committee set out with the outdoor-recreation priority, because "it was the most actionable," Harland says. New projects such as zip lines will be considered, or projects that expand current infrastructure, such as widening, deepening and expanding an old, small boat ramp, Harland says. If their projects are accepted, applicants would get help with necessary permits, assistance with design and perhaps help with grant writing to fund it, he says. Harland says cities such as Bend and Bozeman, Mont., have parlayed their outdoor recreation infrastructure into economic development, and he believes Southern Oregon could do the same. Reach Mail Tribune reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected] . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman . By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman MailTribune.com By Mark Freeman Mail Tribune Follow @@MTwriterFreeman Posted May. 25, 2016 at 5:25 PM Updated May 25, 2016 at 5:29 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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