A bill sponsored by Central Oregon legislators could provide a method to streamline industrial development in “high-value employment sites” to attract job- producing companies in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties.
Senate Bill 792, sponsored by Sen. Chris Telfer and Rep. Jason Conger, R-Bend, and Rep. Gene Whisnant, R-Sunriver, notes that some Central Oregon cities and counties are now working on industrial development strategies for larger industrial sites.
In the past, the bill notes, some projects have been held up through “technical flaws and lack of a clear state policy...”
Among the key provisions of SB 792 is a requirement that county and city governments create a regional economic development plan.
The bill directs the Land Conservation and Development Commission to revise existing state land use goals for "access and mobility" for high-value employment sites that comply with the regional plans.
The bill directs the Land Conservation and Development Commission to revise existing state land use goals for "access and mobility" for high-value employment sites that comply with the regional plans.
Another provision would prohibit retail and residential uses in the employment sites unless they follow objectives set forth in the overall economic development plan.
One effect of the bill would be to allow governments to identify land outside urban growth boundaries for industrial development if they follow state land use goals requiring 20-year plans to accommodate population growth. The employment sites would either need to have infrastructure and services in place, or a financing plan for them.
Economic development officials have said the region lacks read-to-build industrial land to attract major employers. They say several potential employers have decided to relocate elsewhere due to the time required in the permitting process.
The 1,500 acre Juniper Ridge industrial and mixed-use project on Bend Cooley Road area. The project would be the largest in Central Oregon when built out, but thus far has only three major tenants, Les Schwab Tires, Suterra Corp. and PacificCorp.
The city hopes Juniper Ridge could create as many as 15,000 to 20,000 jobs and also be home to a university campus, light industrial firms and a high quality residential community. About 500 of the 1,500 acres is now in the Bend Urban Growth Boundary.
The city hopes Juniper Ridge could create as many as 15,000 to 20,000 jobs and also be home to a university campus, light industrial firms and a high quality residential community. About 500 of the 1,500 acres is now in the Bend Urban Growth Boundary.
The legislation comes as the three-county Central Oregon unemployment rate is 13 percent, 3 percent higher than statewide. Crook County
SB 792 is now in the Senate Committee on Business, Transportation and Economic Development.
