GROW YOUR GARDEN

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GROW YOUR GARDEN!

• Economic Development Workshop
• April 29, 2005 830 a.m. 130 p.m.
• Hoke Hall 309
• Eastern Oregon University
• LaGrande, Oregon

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SPONSORS

• Association of Oregon Counties (AOC)
• Oregon State University (OSU)
• Eastern Oregon University (EOU)

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Why are you here?

• I am an economic development junky.
• I heard there was a free lunch.
• I wanted to hear an economist speak.
• I thought there might be free fertilizer.
• Fishing season hasnt started yet.
• I am ready to plant ideas and grow jobs.
• Eric Schmidt invited me.

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Subsidy or Investment?

• Why Invest in Rural America And How?
• A Critical Public Policy Question for the
  21st Cen
• Karl N. Stauber, PhD
• President of the Northwest Area Foundation
• www.kc.frb.org

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Reasons to Invest in Rural America

• To protect and restore the natural environment
• To produce high-quality specialty food and fiber
  products
• To provide a laboratory for social innovation and
  problem-solving
• To produce a healthy, productive, well-educated
  workforce
• To relieve overcrowding in urban areas

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Outcomes for Oregon

• Conservation of the natural environment and
  culture
• Increased human capital to relieve the dependence
  on public support
• Improved infrastructure to support recreation as
  well as commerce
• Better regional competitive advantage

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REGIONAL AND RURAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMS

• Increase investment opportunities
• Create sustainable jobs
• Fund critical capacity
• Coordinate local efforts in regional boards
• Investments pay for themselves

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REGIONAL AND RURAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMS

• Historic Funding Levels
• 99-01 Biennium 20.6 million
• 01-03 Biennium 16.6 million
• 03-05 Biennium 7.1 million
• 05-07 Biennium 10.6 million

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REGIONAL AND RURAL INVESTMENT PROGRAMS

• Contact your legislators and urge them to support
  the Governors Recommended Budget of 10.6
  million.

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Grow Your Garden!

• Have a great day!

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• Jim Azumano
• Office of Rural Policy