Illinois Valley News

Many ideas to promote economic development in Josephine County were discussed during a Wednesday, June 30 Steering Committee meeting at the Job Council building in Grants Pass.

The committee, established by Medford-based Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc. (SOREDI), includes representatives from industries in the area.

Grants Pass resident Roy Lindsay, who also has served on various county government committees, suggested that the permitting process at the city and county levels be streamlined. Committee members also raised the prospect of changing the county charter to establish a system of five commissioners and a manager, rather than the current format of three commissioners and no manager.

Steve Dahl, city of Grants Pass economic development director, said that television and movie production companies could be approached to do more filming in the Southwest Oregon region. He said that there are groups in Medford and at the state level doing such work, and that Josephine County could partner with them to enhance those efforts.

“That might be a positive fit for the community,“ according to Dahl.

John Lopez, from Rogue Community College Business Development Center, said that a wine-and-culinary tour could be brought to fruition. Lindsay said that art tours also could be included in the concept.

Don Dougherty, a member of the county Land Development Advisory Committee, described that group“s work examining local land-use documents. He said that it should be simple to streamline the permit process.

“It“s a matter of a few changes to the regulations,“ Dougherty said.

He also recommended loosening the requirements for conditional-use permits.

Lindsay said that greater code enforcement in the county could be used to enhance the area“s beauty and would generate revenue as an “ancillary“ benefit.

Margaret Goodwin said that a volunteer group could paint business buildings in Downtown Grants Pass that are in need of aesthetic improvement. Dahl said that the city of Grants Pass has a “Paint Your Heart Out“ program that provides a similar service to residences.

Goodwin said that local artists could possibly display their works at empty downtown storefronts. The Grants Pass Town Center Association is working toward such a concept, Dahl said.

Lindsay said that storefronts also could be utilized by small start-up businesses.

Al Francis, from Ausland Builders Inc. of Grants Pass and Medford, said that building owners still have to cover liability insurance costs. He added that incentives could be used to encourage their participation in that kind of program. Francis said that owners need leaseholders in order to fund improvements. Lopez said that a business development fund could be set up to mitigate those costs.

Long-term funding for public safety programs still linger as critical issues for the county and the city of Grants Pass, Lindsay said.

“That“s a big issue coming up,“ he said.

Jon Bowen, owner of The Palace in Downtown Grants Pass, said that the city“s system development charges are the “biggest hindrance“ for designating use changes in facilities.

“The transportation ones are prohibitive,“ Bowen said.

Also cited by group members was the use of tax-increment financing districts. Dahl said that there are many successful examples of such programs, but that the city of Grants Pass is reluctant to push for any. City staff was demoralized by the politicization of a river district plan that would have been funded through tax increment financing, he said. The plan ultimately was scuttled.

SOREDI“s Michael Smith said that he planned to take the ideas discussed by the committee and compile a list so that members could prioritize their top 10 issues. Action committees could then be formed based on that input, Smith said.

The Steering Committee“s next meeting is set for Wednesday, July 14 at 4:30 p.m. at the Job Council building in Grants Pass.

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