What: the economic opportunities analysis (EOA), the employment-land counterpart to the Housing Capacity Analysis in Eugene's Urban Growth Strategies, forecasting jobs and land need for 2026 to 2046.
Where it stands: On October 15 the consultant and staff recommended a moderate 0.9 percent annual job growth rate (about 24,000 jobs) instead of the 0.6 percent state safe harbors or the 1.2 percent historic rate. Preliminary needs are about 516 acres of industrial and 300 acres of commercial and retail land, with an industrial surplus and a commercial deficit. Members asked for pre-pandemic and industry detail before settling the rate.
Next: Staff to bring back more detail on past growth drivers, office vacancy data and adjustments for redevelopment, housing on commercial land and rights-of-way.
Consultant presented employment trends, advantages and challenges, and three growth forecasts; recommendation of 0.9 percent a year drew questions on defensibility and requests for more history. Related: Community Safety Payroll Tax as a possible data source on who works in Eugene.