Klamath Falls -- August 16, 2004

Partial List of Issues Raised by Panelists & Audience Members

- Transportation is key -- businesses need access for moving products

- Need a skilled, reliable workforce -- education is important

- Lack of funding in school system makes it harder to recruit talented workers

- Complexity in the business environment is a problem -- both with regulation and tax structure

- Continuing to gain access to foreign markets is key -- Mexico and Pacific Rim countries are opening up more and more

- Broaden the Business Plan to encompass all natural resources, not just forests

- Reliable water supply is very important -- in agriculture, clients depend on a consistent product

- Need a reliable labor force to work on the farms

- Drug use is prevalent among workers

- Commercialization of research is important -- OIT can help and is working on geothermal research

- Workers need healthcare

- Worried that enrollment at the community colleges may have to be capped and the community colleges are important to the economic community -- $60 million in backlogged construction

- Need smart, educated people in Klamath Falls so that businesses feel comfortable moving to the region

- Irrigated agriculture and water rights are very important -- people need to come together from across the spectrum and bring solutions to the U.S. Senators

- Renewable natural resources -- get timber and farming back on track to keep people in small communities

- Healthcare premiums are increasing 18-20% per year (or more) -- there are working poor who don't have health insurance -- the county need to offer good healthcare to hire and retain good workers, but the costs are increasing rapidly

- Liability insurance has been increasing

- Klamath Chamber surveyed members and healthcare was the top priority

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

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