If you’re working at a sweet burgh’s friendly little Economic Development Office, you’re going to lean towards sanguine – hopefulness is practically a job requirement for these folks. But you’re also clear-eyed, and quite willing to deliver news that is, well… sobering.
This upcoming Monday, the Corvallis Benton County Economic Development Office, or EDO, will deliver a presentation to the Corvallis City Council that reviews ongoing pluses and efforts – they will also straightforwardly report gathering storm clouds on the horizon.
“The Corvallis MSA has the highest concentrations of government employees as a percentage of nonfarm labor statewide. The recent federal policy changes during Q3 may stand to disproportionally impact employment figures in Benton County and therefore the SWOT analysis has been updated to reflect this emergence. Preliminary data on the unemployment rate in January is also notable, rising to 4.3%, which is the highest it’s been since July 2021,” says the report they’ll be submitting.
In Corvallis, 37.16% of nonfarm employees work for the government. For context, in Salem that number is 24.52%. Why? Because Corvallis teems with the engineering and research folks that do the sorts of work a federal government would generally be funding – but not so much of late. Recent events look more like chainsaws and downward trendlines for these sorts of staffers.
And this isn’t the only problem.
Healthcare availability and quality impacts where employers locate, and it can also affect property values. The EDO report echoes ours as goes Samaritan Health’s questionable stability and likely contractions. And it also notes the priorly imploded Corvallis Clinic takeover by Optum for the negative that it is.
There are some positives. Smackdab in the middle of town, there’s a world-class research university that private industry increasingly turns to. The EDO has built successful partnerships there, and with a few area business incubators too.
The report also notes the availability of recently readied and future programs as a positive. Shovel readiness in an enterprise zone in the airport area, and a program to help commercial property owners finance environmentally sensible improvements are named.
Prospective future urban renewal, or TIF districts are also cited. But as stands, these require voter approval, and many city leaders believe the electorate will be dubious. There is also talk of asking voters to change the City Charter to allow the City Council to approve these districts on their own – but there’s also well founded worry among some that a proposal like that could turn voters from dubious to downright hostile.
A Council sensitive to macro and microcurrents of public sentiment may want to avoid the whole TIF district question right about now – so we’ll see.
Also, on the Council’s upcoming agenda
Otherwise, the April 21 City Council meeting looks to be mostly pro forma, but there are agenda items that may stir some controversy, either now or later.
The Council will quite likely approve a new City Charter Review Task Force and the mayor’s appointments to it. And that is a bigger deal than one may think. The Charter is the hook that was used in the failed attempt to unseat Ward 5 Councilor Charlyn Ellis. There is also the aforementioned TIF district thing – literally a TAX reallocation district, which impacts everyone living in our shared community.
Anyhow, moving onto other matters, the Council will likely approve a resolution establishing a Downtown Vitality Strategy Task Force, and another disbanding the Downtown Parking Task Force. There will also be a parking presentation – the path forward for new parking policies could turn controversial.
Council will also review the new budget – a work in progress.
City Manager Mark Shepard will deliver a report on the city’s Capital Improvement Program and, Mayor Charles Maughan will have a legislative committee report.
Get appointed to a City Advisory group
It’s that time of year – the City of Corvallis is recruiting for volunteers to serve on the City’s network of advisory groups.
These are opportunities to get involved and help shape City policies and programs. And if you have ambitions to run for City Council at some point, serving in one of these groups is a great way to familiarize with the inner workings of our fair burgh’s local government – and to make the connections and get the experience you’ll need.
There are more than a dozen different boards, commissions, committees, and task forces recruiting right now. The city has vacancies on many long-running groups such as the Climate Action Advisory Board, Library Board, and the Community Police Review Board, as well as new groups focused on active transportation and economic development.
They’re also seeking volunteers to serve on the city’s Planning Commission and Historic Resources Commission. These two opportunities have slightly different deadlines and application requirements, so be sure to read about those vacancies if you’re interested.
For information and to see the vacancies and apply online, visit the City’s website.
Landfill expansion, testimony deadlines
If you’re looking to comment on the proposed Coffin Butte landfill expansion, an important first deadline arrives this upcoming Monday, April 21 at 5 pm. Make that deadline, and your testimony will make it into Planning Division’s staff report to the Benton County Planning Commission.
Written testimony received after the staff report is posted – and before the start of the public hearing on the matter – will be delivered as hard copy to the Planning Commission. Written testimony can also be submitted during the public hearing. If you’re that late in the game, hand it to the meeting recorder, who will add it to the official record.
You can submit testimony online, or email it to publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov.
You can also snail mail to: Benton County Community Development, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333-1139.
Hand delivery is an option: Community Development is located on the second floor of the Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis. The office is open Monday – Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
Landfill hearing schedule
If you’re wishing to attend the Planning Commission’s hearing on the landfill expansion, or be on hand for their decision, here is the schedule.
Tuesday, April 29, 6 to 9 pm: Staff report, applicant presentation and start of public testimony if time permits.
Thursday, May 1, 6 to 9 pm: Start or continue public testimony.
Tuesday, May 6, 6 to 9 pm: Continue public testimony as necessary.
Tuesday, June 17, 6 pm to completion: Commission deliberations and decision.
The hearing will be held at the County’s Kalapuya Building, the same address as aforementioned, 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.
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