>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

Bill Rautenstrauch

The Observer

When it comes to economic development, La Grande has a lot going for it. But there's a lot to work on, too.

That was the substance of a message from Jill Miles, a regional executive director from the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, to the La Grande City Council during a work session Monday at City Hall.

Miles, offering the council advice on devising an economic development strategy, played up the advantages first.

"You're the envy of a lot of other cities," she said. "You're pro-business. There's a positive impression out there about La Grande."

Miles pointed to several of the city's strong points, including the fact that Boise Cascade and recreational vehicle makers Fleetwood and Northwood have plants here.

It helps also that La Grande is home to Eastern Oregon University, the Oregon Department of Transportation's Region 5 headquarters, and the ODS Companies service center and dental hygiene school, Miles said.

"Believe it or not, there's a lot of diversity in La Grande and Union County. The point is, you can lose one or two employers and it's not going to devastate the community," she said.

Miles also named the city's Urban Renewal District as a plus.

"The way it's set up, it takes in more than the downtown district," she said.

She noted that the urban renewal agency, working in partnership with the Union County Economic Development Corporation, made possible the acquisition and development of the 79-acre La Grande Business and Technology Park.

The council scheduled the work session because it wants to bring a greater focus on the question of economic development.

Prime movers behind the effort are Mayor Colleen Johnson and Councilor Mary Ann Miesner.

"If we're going to develop a plan, it will take more than one meeting," Johnson said at the start of the Monday gathering. "I think a first task is to talk about and define economic development."

In a round-table-type discussion, various councilors gave Miles their thoughts on what economic development means for the city.

Components councilors brought up included job creation, business retention, business recruitment, downtown development, tourism, less government interference and community livability.

Miles acknowledged the importance of those things, but emphasized that a strong economic development strategy begins a with basic, two-pronged attack.

"I'm from the old school that says you start by generating investment and creating jobs," she said. "Bring in investment, then you can support your services."

Miles said one of the first things the city needs to work on is availability of industrial land. She said she thinks the land available in the business and technology park at Gekeler Lane and Highway 30 will sell fast.

"You need more product," she said. "You don't have enough industrial land. I think you'll burn those acres quick."

Miles also said she thinks the city should do more marketing, beginning with improvements to its Web site.

"As it is, people accessing it don't know who to go to when they want to talk (about locating a business here). Maybe the solution is as simple as a link to the Union County Economic Development Corporation," she said.

The UCEDC works closely with the city on economic development, and Miles said that relationship should be preserved.

But at the same time she said she thinks the city should assume more responsibility.

She suggested the city might hire a person to work on the business development issues.

"You don't have an in-house economic development manager, and a city of your size should," she said.

She noted that Pendleton, Baker City, Milton-Freewater and Hermiston — all cities in the Northeast Region — do fill such a position.

"In all those organizations, there's a go-to person," she said.

As the meeting drew toward a close, the council and staff members discussed — but did not formally adopt — some short-range goals.

Those included:

• Working more closely with UCEDC, Union County Tourism, the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District, the Downtown Development Association, and other partners.

• Establishing goals and performance measurements both for the city and the economic development groups it works with, especially those who receive funding from the city.

• Raising public awareness that the council is working to improve the business climate.

• Improving the city's Web site and producing a brochure for those seeking to locate businesses in La Grande.

• Increasing the city's land inventory and having industrial land ready to sell.

• Further study of Miles' suggestion to hire an in-house economic development manager.

As the process continues, long-range goals will be developed.

As a next step, the council plans a round of meetings with local economic development groups and public agencies that could figure as partners in future efforts.