Implementation of Statewide Planning Goal 9: Economic Development ensures that cities plan and designate an adequate supply of land for future economic development and employment growth in Oregon. DLCD offers resources to assist local governments in achieving their economic development planning goals. We provide training, information, and funding for economic development planning. We also lend a hand to any agency working to improve local economies.
DLCD assists local governments to conduct Economic Opportunities Analyses, which are required by Oregon Administrative Rules as a part of local economic development planning. These reports help cities and counties identify likely industrial and other economic development opportunities and corresponding employment land needs over a 20-year planning period. The results help inform local leaders and community members on what industries will best fit the region. An economic opportunities analysis also outlines local economic development strategies and priorities for community development, while providing the information that local governments need to support urban growth boundary expansions.
Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA)
An Economic Opportunity Analysis (EOA) is like an economic forecast for an area: it equips cities with information they need to prepare for growth over time. These analyses help cities and counties understand which industries and services will thrive in their area, and how they can best use land within their urban growth boundaries (UGB). When a city has a shortage of land for economic growth, an EOA also provides the justification for a UGB expansion. To create an EOA, communities assess local economic development priorities, consider their area's economic history, and use economic data to forecast growth. Then they examine how land is used in the region to determine whether there will be enough buildable land to accommodate the projected growth. While there is no regular schedule for a community to conduct an EOA, DLCD recommends that local governments evaluate their EOA at least every ten years to determine if it is still serving the community’s economic development interests.
DLCD provides Technical Assistance grants to help cover the cost of conducting an EOA. For more details on DLCD's Technical Assistance grant programs and other funding opportunities, please visit the Grants Information page.
Take a look at the following resources to learn more or contact us.
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Content Standards & Guidelines: Economic Opportunities Analysis: This guidance provides answers to some frequently asked questions that come up during an economic opportunity analysis.
- EOA Examples: Look at the examples below if you're curious about what a complete EOA looks like. Please keep in mind that each EOA is unique to a community's circumstances. The examples provide insight for a variety of city sizes and conditions and should not be copied and used without adding information specific to your community.
Industrial and Other Employment Lands Analysis Guidebook
This guidebook provides a method for conducting an economic opportunities analysis. Local governments may use this guidebook to analyze the land within the urban growth boundary for local economic development needs.
Other Helpful Resources
- Business Oregon
- Industrial Development
- Department of Revenue
- Council of Development Finance Agencies
- Oregon Economic Development Association
- Oregon Employment Department
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Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Data