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Consultant presents Donald-focused economic development draft; council discusses implementation tools
Summary
Johnson Economics presented a Donald-specific Regional Economic Development Strategy draft including a SWOT analysis and possible implementation tools such as tax-increment financing and a zoning assessment; councilors suggested outreach to Chemeketa Community College but made no binding decisions.
Council President Jan Olsen opened the work session and Brendan Buckley, Senior Project Manager with Johnson Economics, "shared the Regional Economic Development Strategy draft which focused on the City of Donald," presenting the draft's SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis and proposed implementation strategies.
Buckley and City Manager Eric Underwood discussed potential implementation tools, including urban renewal districts (referred to in the presentation as tax-increment financing) and noted that the entire city is designated as an Enterprise Zone. Buckley emphasized land- and property-focused actions in the draft and suggested a zoning assessment could be a useful follow-up; councilors agreed a zoning review might be desirable but did not set a timeline for it.
During discussion a councilor suggested encouraging Chemeketa Community College to open a small local campus focusing on trades. No formal direction or motion was recorded on the item; councilors also reviewed potential funding sources mentioned in the draft and asked staff to track next steps and timelines.
The work session continued to other agenda items without a formal vote on the strategy draft.
