Any-Town, USA
Don’t turn farmland into industrial parks
Take a drive out Highway 99 to Clear Lake Road and turn west. As soon as you leave the busy industrial highway you are in … Continue reading
Bob Warren
Bob Warren retired in 2012 as the regional business development officer for Business Oregon for Lane, Lincoln, Linn and Benton Counties. Prior to that, he was senior policy advisor on forest policy for Gov. Barbara Roberts and district aid and natural resource advisor for Rep. Peter DeFazio. He is currently a member of the board of directors for McKenzie River Trust.
Author: Bob Warren
Of Sawdust & Chips — Part II
Business development and Oregon’s economy
It’s almost impossible to overstate how devastating the 1980s recession was for Oregon. The early 1980s had the largest percentage of job loss since World … Continue reading
Chips & Sawdust — Part One
What happened to the old Oregon?
Occasionally, there is a point in the history of a place that creates a before and after moment — an event that, in the aftermath, … Continue reading
Baloney
Economic development smoke and mirrors
A recent audit of Business Oregon, the state’s economic development department, will likely generate more local debate about economic development incentives. I spent about 15 … Continue reading
Going Ga-Ga Over Goshen?
It’s time for honesty from Lane County
Lane County has pulled out all the stops on promoting Goshen as an up and coming industrial job center for Lane County. But before we go ga-ga over Goshen I’d like Lane County to answer a few questions. How much is it going to cost? How long is it going to take? We already know it’s the public who gets to pay, but who is going to benefit? Are there other interests besides the landowners who will benefit at the public’s expense? Continue reading