John Day -- August 24, 2004

Partial List of Issues Raised by Panelists & Audience Members

- Banks don't loan money in rural areas -- especially for agriculture

- Expand rural-urban partnerships when things are going well west of the Cascades -- push business to rural Oregon

- Use incentives to bring businesses to rural Oregon -- focus on businesses that are already in the state

- Access to funding is critical -- 10-15 year enterprise tax zone exemption has not been used

- The Bank of Eastern Oregon is willing to give loans but often times only if another bank backs them up

- Government funds should be used to help local business start-ups

- Small business assistance is needed

- Distance learning is helpful

- Need a way to retain smart youth

- Strengthen forestry long-term -- people need to know that the industry is here to stay if they are going to work in it

- Extension agencies are important -- prevent from closing

- There is perception problem among investors about natural resource investments (forestry, ag, etc.) -- these are good industries

- Infrastructure is important -- water and sewer is a prerequisite to even begin discussions with a business that wants to move to rural Oregon

- Need financial support for K-12 education

- Economic success shouldn't just be about short-term job creation -- in many cases it will take 6-10 years to see investments succeed

- More water is needed

- Broadband internet is needed

- Small scale renewable energy projects could be very helpful for job creation but there are some barriers -- Oct. 2004 hearing at PUC was referenced

- Incorporate renewable energy action plans into the Oregon Business Plan -- bio-mass, methane, land fill opportunities -- can't get renewable energy to California because of transmission -- give energy to local schools and not have it count against them with the funding formula

- When earmarks are made for opportunities (such as ONAMI), make sure that the larger research universities work with Eastern Oregon University

- Finishing telecommunications center in John Day -- possibly need help

View the Initiative Survey Results from John Day & See How They Compare to the Issues Raised Above.

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