At the EVP first Town Hall meeting, there was a comment sheet available for people to fill out and to make comments on the process and to get ideas expressed which might not have had a chance to be said.

The EVP Organizing committee got together and typed in the comments so that they could be available on the website.

Here are the comments from 97 people (out of around 300) who attended the meeting.

Economic Vitality Partnership Economic Development Strategic Plan

Town Hall #1 June 2006

Summary of Feedback Forms

1.What does “prosperity that fits” mean to you?

• Sustainability of jobs, housing and natural resources.
• Not much - based on what I heard this evening it’s a thin disguise for "let's promote growth."
• Economic growth that re-enforces "Corvallis Values" *small town feel *smart *eco-friendly
• Prosperity is the ability to do what fits our values.
• Modest expectations for what kind of lifestyle we're "entitled" to. Support Locally-owned businesses( shame on our mayor)
• Schools don't beg, culture is prominent and diverse, housings accessible to all, and we're a role model for other communities
• Prosperity should be shared and measured by the community
• Ecological, social, and economic balance of energy and food security.
• development that fits a specific community, in the context of what the communities true needs are
• Controlled Growth - It's an easy thing to say, but it is too squishy
• Welcomes all as equal citizens, valuing what each contributes. Responsibility belongs to all. Need to clearly define what is meant by "sustainability" (I like examples given by some attendees)
• A balance between appropriate services and the economic ability to pay for them.
• A sustainable (environmentally & people) working/successful Corvallis.
• A community where people can afford to live & work. Corvallis is becoming an elitist community and there is too large a percentage of people who work here that must live elsewhere -- therefore our schools are shrinking. $ earned here & volunteers benefit other communities.
• Bringing in and growing businesses that have similar/ compatible vision to community. Add vs. net loss of resources for community. Opportunities for a welcoming community to diverse people
• family wage jobs. New businesses to replace dying business. Support for existing businesses. Environmentally responsible companies. No big boxes
• "prosperity" meaning everyone comfortable with needs met fully. "fits" meaning integrating above with details of what we want community to look like.
• People's needs are met
• Living with beauty, within a community of friends and family
• Managed growth that enhances the areas infrastructure without adding much traffic congestion
• Building a real self-reliant economy, instead of the illusion of an economy.
• Move into the future while building on our past and preserving our uniqueness
• Prosperity that comes from local people investing locally to promote their own ideas/businesses i.e.., Don't "recruit" business from outside, but grow them from within our community (encourage local people with ideas to move forward with them.
• Andrea Thornberry - Prosperity = growth and sustainability. Fit = See Darwin -> thrives within existing environment, land/nature, etc. and culture (needs/resources etc.)
• Prosperity that is in line with what this community wants and values. Prosperity that reflects community input and ideas.
• Equal opportunity for the cities of Corvallis. This means protecting our environment; preserving our open green spaces; funding our community health clinic (Benton County) and funding our City schools. Putting community interests over outsider business
• It means using the strengths of this community that are underdeveloped to fill the needs we have in the community. Looking inward for development, business expansion and ideas BEFORE we look OUTSIDE
• Too restrictive-- We need prosperity that will create prosperity. That will generally fit the requirements
• growth in knowledge and education/effort to influx OSU, LBCC grads into local jobs/maintain and improve what sets Corvallis apart as in the top ten places to live.
• No one gets screwed. A fine balance between govt. and business. Good Paying, minimally, non-polluting, socially responsible Job opportunities.
• Something that is sustainable-- helps us by not hurting others or the future. Making a world that we'll be happy to leave to the next generation.
• Encouraging the establishment and support of businesses that treat people and our resources with respect. Important priorities for most of our community.
• A cute slogan.
• Prosperity that fits means prosperity that is not short term and that does minimum damage to the community.
• Building additional economic diversity in the County while supporting the current businesses to continue to grow/ change and help them "align" w/ vision 2020 goals
• everyone having what they need & want being sensitive to environment
• old shoes take on a comfortable "fit" new shoes generally are uncomfortable but may look nice. We have a good system in Benton co now! (compared with the rest of the state) don’t change for the sake of growth. Good looks.
• sustainable life style as well as environmental and considering community health indicators as criteria for recruiting new business
• reasonable growth that works for our community
• high quality of life for all residents
• as a community, do what we can to maintain and create as sustainable an economy as possible while protecting our natural beauty and quality of life
• no subdivisions (cookie cutter). We need a target
• a diverse business and personal community that allows for quality of life and job prosperity for all of the community including environmentally sensitive/save businesses. Sustainable business and affordable housing.
• help Corvallis survive without losing what is unique and positive here
• I liked the comment "We are proud of the businesses in our community". Families with school-aged children can afford to live here - much emphasize high wage jobs.
• A diverse community of mainly small to medium use, businesses that complement each other - including small, food-producing firms
• Healthy and sustainable growth different from a polarized have and have not growth
• Compromise - you can't grow your economic base without growing housing, etc. Open space is nice but it doesn't provide tax money - you have to compromise
• Intentional growth with defined objectives that include more than jobs and dollars
• I can live in Corvallis my entire life. My kids can live here as well
• Moderate growth of diversified companies so that infrastructure and population remains strong and vibrant. I regret the loss of families that necessitate closing schools. A mix of companies that pay family-wage jobs and will sustain affordable housing.
• We don't rape existing businesses to bring in others
• It means having 'enough' for all residents. Having a vibrant, strong, sustainable community
• A plan that fits our community, reflects our values. Economic stability is important for everyone, that means diversity. We do want affordable housing
• To do well by doing good. Good for the community and the planet, and in keeping with the unique character of this place.
• The kind and level of business and culture that the community will support - financially and with their participation. Quality of life issues must be balanced with economic development and growth issues
• Slow steady growth with a range of jobs and prospects
• A community that has strong private companies, research education and public institutions that draw money in from outside the community through export of goods and services, thereby providing family wage jobs that support a healthy retail sector, with the result that taxes support strong public services, schools, library, parks and all the rest that are part of a high quality of life.
• Sustainable economy supporting infrastructure and local lifestyles.
• Sustainable economic growth.
• High-paying jobs and investments that protect air, water and land.
• A sustainable, diversified community that retains the quality of life Corvallis currently enjoys.
• It means that Corvallis is a small town with unique character and values and we can't lose track of that in our zeal for development or we may develop away all that we cherish in Corvallis. We can (and do!) have a thriving economy in a small town atmosphere -- all we need to do is sustain it.
• Creating a healthy business environment that sustains both our economy & our environment.
• Keeping the character of Corvallis while allowing for growth -- considering Aging Population, Limited Resources.
• Prosperity will be a natural result of an attitude of abundance (not scarcity!) and mindset of cooperation & collaboration -- which will definitely be a "fit" for Corvallis.
• Dynamic economy that supports lifestyle & infrastructure.
• Ability to make a living, own a home, support those less fortunate in our community.
• Economic conditions that work within the context of the community culture. But then, in that sense all prosperous communities have "prosperity that fits." If it didn’t it would successfully last.
• Quality of life is important and emphasized: now sprawl, a good place to raise kids, open and green spaces, clean air and water (& environment, ability to live & work & shop without using a single occupancy vehicle.
• Corvallis is a great place to live (work & play), raise children, and grow old. Prosperity for current and new residents needs to provide continuing support and even growth of education, culture, social, art, open space, bike paths (transportation alternatives)
• A town you enjoy living in that provides jobs and opportunities for a wide variety of its citizens.
• Earning opportunities that are based on renewable, sustainable methods. I think this in an important question to ask across the community; let's not just preach to the choir. The answers will help us market this effort to each sector in the area: retire
• preserving the Corvallis ecosystem with the changes we make.
• appropriate, community accepted prosperity
• Strong support for local businesses mixed economy
• Our happiness/prosperity doesn't come by mortgaging our children's options
• Maintaining the aspects of Corvallis that are attracting and keeping us here ( mostly our scale-size and the beautiful surroundings ) without "pricing-out" existing residents or others who want to relocate here. Quite a trick
• not mortgaging our quality of life for a quick buck
• development and growth that does not betray the strong community values of sustainability, environmental protection, fair wages, empowerment of workers - which allows prosperity of businesses.
• livable and affordable community for all!
• a slogan!
• bringing in new businesses that fit w/ the culture of our community- clean high-tech, research businesses
• meeting our basic needs with locally provided goods and services.
• growing at a pace that maintains and supports Corvallis quality of life and uniqueness
• Prosperity that is not detrimental to our quality of life in Corvallis, planned careful / thought out development as opposed to runaway growth. Avoid icon (name brand) businesses that will turn us in everywhere USA and promote local business and uniqueness.

2. Of the action ideas you heard about tonight, which are most appealing?

• Marketing what Corvallis has to offer to resident and students. Encourage shopping at local businesses, plus entertainment available i.e. cultural, sporting events at OSU.
• Identify the characteristics that the community most highly values and cultivate those.
• Active, intelligent recruiting of new businesses. Re-investing prosperity into the social infrastructure: low cost housing, workforce training, education.
• Land trusts for maintaining housing affordability
• Boosting our rail transportation; incentives for builders to include smaller (literally) and more affordable houses in the mix of what's being built; leverage OSU & LBCC better for vocational trainings; business-to-business mentoring! (a successful business person would mentor a "newbie"
• Vocational educational education, helping local business to compete against the "big boys", "coop" structure ownership for residence & business, mixed use structures.
• Adopt affordable housing alternatives. Expand public transportation system from Corvallis to Albany.
• Energy and food security must compliment each other rather than disrupt each other. Growing a crop such as canola to support large scale facilities is not sustainable as it threatens food security due to large canola acreage causing contamination risks to food crops. Other oilseed crops must be considered and on-farm production of fuel rather than large-scale, centralized facilities. On-farm production supports micro-reactor technology being developed at OSU.
• meshing transportation corridors with development corridors.
• OSU spin offs/research
• Make Corvallis green. Keep Corvallis beautiful - Trees, green spaces, parks. City planning should be more collaborative.
• Tourism increase. Clusters. Small Business Development support.
• Local food. Alternative and public transportation encouraged. Affordable housing for all of the jobs that are here.
• Encourage local agriculture. Need diversity, family wage jobs. Revitalize downtown. Improve public transportation. We need affordable housing locally.
• Reduction in fees for building homes & requirements for building homes. Materials don't cost more in Albany -- all of our fees & requirements cause housing to be too expensive for lower and middle income individuals.
• Align transit corridor and economic development corridors. Expanded welcome/networking ideas. Ensuring design diversity. Improving non-vehicle accessibility of downtown. Leveraging existing resources such as LBCC workforce training and OSU innovations. Business to business mentoring. Activities for move than students and families.
• incentives for diverse neighborhoods and a mix of incomes and housing types. Peer mentoring for new business by existing business men and women. Lots of new bike corridors across downtown. Community land trust as the best possibility to meet the communities need for affordable housing for young families
• New action idea of assessing "carrying capacity" of Benton County within sustainability limits. Measure our sustainability potential for growth.
• Very concerned that we need to understand what business we want to recruit. What are our needs! What are the holes, the missing pieces, the largest retail leakage
• A vision of "community health" so that successful economy serves this vision.
• Bike touring tourism. Better facilities for meetings.
• 1. Local currency 2. Rail infrastructure /PRT to Portland. 3. Business license and fee tracking. 4. Agri-tourism/Eco Tourism
• Partnerships with existing organizations plus emphasis on sustainability and conservation of natural resources. Strengthening our are but within the parameters of what makes Benton County special and unique.
• Figure the carrying the capacity of our community, continual growth is not sustainable. Density existing infrastructure, but contain our current growth boundary.
• affordable housing - land use better development. Public transportation - = "two town trolley" from Corvallis to Albany (do OSU student fees help with costs?) New business - ask: other than groceries, gas and restaurants, how much do people spend in Corvallis? All my clothes and electronics are from Salem. Clustering - easier for training and job changes.
• Enhance downtown, affordable housing, support/strengthen local business. Condensed housing, keep open, space buy local.
• Diversifying new housing developments. Stop the mono-building! Offer diversity in sizes, appearance , price , etc within all new housing developments.
• Creating a affordable transit (Amtrak) line connecting Corvallis to Albany, Salem, then Portland that would enable communities to reach their workplaces in time for the work day.
• Specifically identifying needs in retail, jobs, attracting shoppers/visitors, then identifying relevant resources we have not drawn upon as well as we could
• Need to develop a recruiter to actively search for new businesses that want to come here and are acceptable.
• k-12 workforce education program/introduce kids to street smarts not just book smarts/online community calendar (NowTowns.com)
• Expanding rail infrastructure.
• Too many actions with too little time to pick any particular ones.
• I liked the idea of looking into bio-diesel production in the Willamette valley.
• Integrating sustainability and economic dev. Strategy 1-6
• Encouraging and supporting the development of alternative energy in partnership w/schools and other communities in the valley and throughout Oregon.
• The one with the fewest meetings and generalities. Too much "process" not enough specifics.
• emphasis on education for the residents (students) of Oregon. Energy is the tsunami ahead, more employment is supplied by energy conservation the new was to consume more
• green tourism and local produce in school lunches. Professional theater - combining education resources.
• continuation and enhancement of relationships with OSU and the other educational entities in the area.
• increasing supply of affordable housing
• infill and protect a vital downtown. Recruitment specialist to intelligently recruit businesses that we want and need while knowing what infrastructures we have available. Local food feeding our population!
• downtown (1st Street) focus and development with 18 hr business with both families student and elderly in mind
• sustainable agriculture support along with land use. Est. recruiting specialist and review land use laws to enable small local businesses. More easily build vs. outside businesses
• mostly the idea that we can grow without harming what we already have
• Focused recruiting, informed by partnership with OSU
• Integrating food-producing agricultural in all sectors of the business/tourism/research communities
• Business and industrial ecology - very appealing phase. Corvallis is inherently expensive - great community amenities which dictate that good family wage jobs are compatible with communities. Large low wage sector will not work here
• Integrate locally grown food in the infrastructure of the community - schools, grocery stores, restaurants
• The recruit from outside strategy should focus on catering to companies that show some interest in Corvallis (the call us) not going out and looking for companies. Focus on downtowns!! Try to cater to students.
• Groom local leaders to grow local businesses.
• Affordable housing. Barrier busting!! Shovel Ready property
• Seeking venture capital for existing businesses
• A BEC for local farmers. Corvallis needs to be differentiated from other cities; Benton County differentiated from other counties - we don't and shouldn't need to be another Beaverton. Planning for Peak or support industrial ecology look at carrying capacity for area to keep sustainable. Support alt. transport, local foods, attract art professionals leverage all our theaters (OSU, Majestic, CHS). Encourage local spending. Add additional clusters like renewable energy conservation companies, promote tourism and existing businesses / entrepreneurs. Design competition for affordable housing, have local vocational training, local rail lines for passengers, community / university celebration to promote what works, use natural systems rather than making them i.e. natural flow of pipes - wetlands for H2O preservation
• Land trust. Mass transit support. Community calendar.
• Agri-tourism, support and develop local ag markets: the benefits are economic AND social. Inclusionary zoning and real-estate transfer tax to be used for affordable housing "Barrier Buster" to deal with bureaucratic bs.
• In general, proactive approaches. The proof will be in making the transition from talk to action
• mentor or checklist for new businesses seeking a place to build
• * Engaging OSU deeply with the private business community to benefit economic development. * Fast tracking OSU business incubator.
• OSU-Business Incubator Park.
• "Barrier-busting" so that growth is in filled and decaying or obsolete structures are redeveloped or re-habitated.
• Communicate links between social services/infrastructure and the business community.
• Welcoming alternative energy industries and supporting our existing businesses. There is too much energy spent worrying about "leaking" but no one talks about the money coming in from other places which most likely balances it out. People enjoy going to Portland -- you aren't going to stop them by bringing in more stores.
• Clustering complimentary industries.
• Cluster industry -- especially resource based.
• Strengthen local biz (esp. small ones). Affordable housing -- support CNHS, Corvallis Neighborhood Housing Service!
• * Technology business around sustainability & alternative energy. * Local food available through chain stores.
• * Incentives to local businesses that promote sustainability. * Incentives to bring businesses of all sizes and a range of jobs. * Streamlining government processes to make it easier to build/grow businesses.
• Building up an alternative energy cluster. Begin thinking of the businesses we want as customers.
• In-filling empty downtown buildings workforce development - support schools & OSU at legislature. Alternative transportation support, local agriculture leverage with what is here (theatre), land trust, inclusionary zoning, affordable housing, industrial e
• Rail use - Encourage chain grocery stores to provide local produce. This many folks interested in the future of Corvallis.
• 1. Build more houses > of all types. 2. Lobby local large supermarkets to carry local produce, etc.
• Encouraging the businesses we have
• Enhance civic pride & support for existing businesses -- especially family-owned, smaller ones. The diversity in business is what makes Corvallis special.
• leverage. Take advantage of what we already have. Build on top of that.
• I want to attract starting small businesses and strengthen the small businesses we have in Corvallis
• support for environmentally friendly biz, concern to protect open spaces
• Too many to choose. Keep sifting and working. This is a great start
• A. those that foster independent responsibility B. those that rely on responsible citizens. C. those that create responsible citizens
• going after sectored businesses *- surveying businesses to identify most in -demand employment skill needs.
• greatly improved public transport that is better than driving your own car. Life worker improvement and training to help individuals, educational institutions and businesses multi-strategy for affordable homes.
• mixed housing: price, rentals , live above business - wealthy will always have their areas but share the rest
• attracting new businesses and barrier busters
• streamlining the govt processes to get zoning, permits and building feasibility
• Creating benchmarks for identifying community health as we grow. This whole "community feedback" form in itself is encouraging and exciting.

3.Are there ideas you didn’t see or hear about tonight you’d like considered?

• Objectively consider the benefits of growth vs. sustainability. It is by no means clear that growth = good.
• In terms of intelligent recruiting, clearly defining Corvallis' strengths and conveying that as a unique value proposition to potential businesses (i.e. Corvallis is smart).
• Plan for peak oil energy coats will go through the roof soon (within 10-20 years)
• Industrial hemp as a crop (let's grow up a get over the 60's, it's grown in Canada commercially…);promote the use of composting toilets as a perfectly safe & viable alternative in houses. Encourage businesses to compost their food wastes, coffee grounds, etc.; the GT is a pretty lousy newspaper, I'd like to see them do more in-depth, intelligent reporting on local issues; for demolition or new construction, some requirement for recycling as much material as possible; leverage neighborhood associations for getting the word out on all sorts of things.
• The impending arrival of Home Depot is a terrifying prospect and the thin end of the wedge. Can we stop it? If so, can we find a way to keep their potential customers in town?
• Provide more options for social interaction for adults- entertainment venues, choices for restaurants.
• Sustainable, cooperative agriculture that values being a good neighbor for collaborative fuel and food production. 2)Farm to school to provide food while schools provide venues for local food processing facilities 3) Faith communities providing market growth for local growers. Field trips to farms and buyers clubs
• Public transportation - smaller buses, running more often, better variety of routes. (may people would use bus if more convenient)
• What about Corvallis focusing on efforts on a community that incubates business as a priority cluster.
• City purchasing the Whiteside Theatre for multi-use building -- Auditorium/conferences/lectures/film festivals/theatrical shows/meeting space/special events/rental for city profit/pageants/floral shows/town hall meetings/children's events/offsite sports viewing
• Nobody seemed to connect the costs of such things as adding a train system, more bike paths or more restrictive land use to the impact on people's ability to live here. We are a graying elitist community with a steadily decreasing school population with a lack of affordable housing & shopping for entry level families.
• Be sure affordable housing is integrated into neighborhoods all over, not isolated into sectors. Focus on welcoming environment to retain diversity. Incorporating libraries in the lifelong learning/ training resources
• no we had good new ideas - spaces for garden, better busses, especially downtown, support better bike access
• Creative solutions on how to find basis serves while offering incentives for the kind of growth we want. Or support to have the guts to stand up ands say we need tax reform so we can truly vote with our dollars.
• Build smaller homes
• You have missed a lot of the new means of economy based around data communications
• Wondering how many people believe an economy can be vibrant, dynamic, strong without growing in size. Is a strong economy without growth an impossibility.
• South 3rd Street is disconnected in the flow of things. If more livable businesses were in South Corvallis i.e.. Grocery Stores etc.
• Use existing mixed use zones and develop a walk-able life style at each zone. 2. Facilitate Business development with official business facilitation team. 3. Increase financial resources for local business
• More emphasis on the economic impact (positive) of recreational amenities and new regional museum.
• Promote our city as a model of sustainability to bring research and development jobs that are centered on something the majority of our citizens really care about i.e.. Alternative energy, transportation, low impact living.
• I was made to again, feel concerned for our fellow community members living in poverty. I do not feel they are represented in these types of forums or decision processes, but they are often most affected. I.e.. someone in my small-group said: land trusts (blue) "rather than expand the city, make run-down apartments land trusts" - tear down cheap rent apartments with low income housing. Huh? She was worried about the benefit to the landlord. I wonder - where will the tenants go? The reality is there is poverty in Corvallis and will always be - we can't all be above average! Are these folks represented at all? Where is the Latino community? How scientific is this representative sample?
• recruit the "young retirees" with housing, entertainment "part-time", work community service education etc. more tourism.
• I think the City needs to focus more on local food - connecting local growers with local consumers! Bring in some food processing facilities to process local fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy products - this not only provides more jobs but it helps to
• Having vacant rental properties bought, fixed up (by someone like Habitat for Humanity) and made affordable through continued support like City of Corvallis loan; Corvallis Neighborhood Association; Home-Start, or other grant organization that focus on bringing both first time homebuyers as well as low-income families into the city
• I think most everything imaginable was covered!
• Too Much emphasis on "downstream" development which is too restrictive (typically) to attract more businesses. We'll end up with x+y biosphere only.
• Small business needs list/let the city and community understand what specific local businesses need and make efforts to meet the needs.
• Not at the moment.
• Push the river assets. Enhance 1st and 2nd street. Think River Walk like in San Antonio, Texas.
• no response
• re affordable housing, smaller stick built houses on smaller lots-- there are new houses that are about 800 sq. feet that can be built for about 50 K.
• With Corvallis recent green Power award from the EPA, we could be more aggressively marketing ourselves as a Green City w/Great bike commuting and other recreational Opps (as well as good Employment Opps)
• train people to be entrepreneurs - not just to get a job
• the statement to the start of the presentation + no growth will have a negative impact…(it seems as though) - who says this & where are the numbers? Growth is the problem
• nothing about multi-cultural awareness; Asian and Hispanic population incorporating them into planning process.
• focus on programs that work on training small business owners. Incubators. Micro enterprise assistance.
• how do Alsea Monroe and other community centers in Benton county relate to the economic development plan of Corvallis - should we try and develop those areas also? There was no discussion about the rest of Benton county
• transit - do more to find out where people need to go when and rearrange the transit options to meet those needs (don’t like see. Al the empty buses!) turn some streets (maybe 1 in 5 or 1 in 10) into bike blvds closed to cars.
• no ugly subdivisions. That is not why I moved to Oregon
• more about supporting the businesses that are here prosper
• Caution that Corvallis not be too internally focused…OSU is international, HP is international, the competition is international. We MUST network with Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Shanghai, etc…
• Creating a local food-processing center where excess food can be preserved for year round use. A center could provide job training while increasing local food security enhancing economic security
• Supporting local farmers was brought up - but I didn’t see any age producers here - I cam from a farm and have a different take on that , supporting small forms is a nice feel good but most of those at farmers markets have jobs to support them - they do not survive solely on farm income. To support a family you have to have a large farm and in today's work that is difficult to do unless you inherit the business. The large farms have value added products and provide the jobs - not hobby farms.
• No, we covered an amazing variety of ideas
• We need to tell public what the facts are related to the community - housing is high priced so don’t recruit low paying jobs, it is a high percentage of retires i.e. no kids, low multiplies on spending, can't have 'no growth' and prosperity
• If people want local food we need distribution have local and national / international food side-by-side in mainstream stores / Safeway, Albertson's, etc
• Burn the Corvallis building department and start over
• Educating the community about choices in purchase - local and more "expensive" vs. goods from far away that are "cheaper". The importance of preserving elements of our HISTORY! This defines, in part, who we are. Looking at buildings that have recently been demolished - we need to realize that this approach is NOT sustainable. Facts and figures are available to support this.
• tourism - elder hostel offerings
• <My brain is mush right now>
• How public $ might be invested? How to incentives private investments?
• Carbon energy independence. Local food production.
• More resources & more business -- university collaboration on intellectual property -- create, protect, group, & license patents. More coordination between Linn & Benton county interests -- natural complements in manufacturing, energy and agricultural sectors.
• Stress link between surrounding agricultural lands and urban growth. Also -- how commuters into Corvallis are treated, i.e., traffic flow, parking, accommodations, etc.
• Yes -- we need to think about whether we are trying to solve a problem that doesn't exist. If we have low unemployment, high standard of living, high median income, + 25% graduate educated population, maybe we are already doing something right. Let's not be so eager to change everything so quickly. Albany has lots of sprawling retail -- do we want to look like that?
• Not sure. There was a lot talked about!
• Missed any discussion of safety net services; can drag down economy or enhance quality of life. More emphasis on promoting local purchases -- keep dollars in town. * Bringing larger businesses that fit our objectives -- not just environmental advocates.
• How to deal with the perception that "public input" is bad and holds up progress - What is the "anti-business" attitude/perception? Is it real? (test it with businesses). Expand on "barrier buster" idea.
• Research on how many lower priced (affordable) hoes/housing are needed w/I Corvallis - and then zone for housing for lower wage workers.
• What is a "livable wage" in Corvallis? 2. Develop a shopping mall. 3. Why does Albany have a stronger retail operation.
• Develop sector-specific messaging to say "what economic development means for you" so that we can engender the support of the entire community. The most successful effort will come when more that 200-300 of us feel like we are invested in this.
• OSU BUYING THE WHITESIDE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL VENTURE - TURN IT INTO THE OSU PERFORMING ARTS CENTER THAT IS RUN AND MARKETED BY THE BUSINESS SCHOOL. IT WOULD BRING STUDENTS DOWNTOWN AND BRING THAT CORNER BACK TO LIFE.
• seeking people who "gained from Corvallis" (e.g. students) to give back (e.g. monetary).
• Creating development plans that block wal-mart, trader joes etc
• Some consideration for effects on social service needs
• Energy? When the cost of energy goes off the charts, how are we going to function? Bio-diesel, solar, wind, reduction of energy use, hydro - local resources for local needs!!
• "Smart" Traffic Systems to improve the efficiency/Capacity of Existing Road System (Even Reduce amount of asphalt) and greatly increase safety and environmental impacts (car emissions) of autos
• yes those descried above
• we need better training opportunities for the trades - e.g. plumbing, electrical, construction, auto mechanics, etc.
• encourage sustainable mass transit which is convenient cheap efficient and ubiquitous. Encourage bicycle friendly corridors on downtown streets stoplight controlled half road width which is no car only for bikes.
• train transits that’s solar or electric
• nothing about providing services for community members especially for those who need help focus on open space/recreation
• nope lots of great ideas
• strengthening the viability of local art, crafts, music and other goods and services that reflect human creativity in meeting basic needs. Taking lessens learned here to the general public, and into schools.
• diversity in jobs and industries to attract families, especially those where both parents want to work and they have different backgrounds.
• There are many ideas I would have like to have heard more about (in the other groups), but the format did not allow it. I do feel things are in good hands through and really striving to accommodate community sentiment. I'd like to see a plan for purchasing / developing the property currently occupied by Evantie (they are willing to sell). The potential for this property is enormous given its location at the confluence of the Mary's and Willamette River. It could: enhance downtown amenities and housing, tie in the existing bike trails to downtown, and spur the re-development / re-birth of South Corvallis. the first phase of this has already begun with the purchases and planned development of the former battery-separator plant. Perfect location for amphitheatre (there is currently a group seeking a spot to create such and an animal. Quality of life is big selling point for drawing businesses. Okay, I'm done.

4.If you were organizing this meeting, how would you make it better?

• I though it was well organized and advertised.
• Most of what I heard tonight overlapped much of what has already been covered by the existing government planning processes. If you can't clearly identify and articulate the way (s) in which you are augmenting or complementing already existing plan and planning processes, you're wasting everybody's time.
• I don’t think I could. You guys did an amazing job. I learned a lot. Thank you.
• The acoustics were pretty impossible. . . I was chagrined to see large bags of non-recyclable (I think) trash being hauled out. We've GOT TO STOP this use once & throw "away" behavior!!! Frankly I'd like to see Corvallis stop growing. I believe the Greeks found that 50,000 was optimal for civic civility!
• Breakout sessions were impossible to hear. Breakout rooms would help. At the very least, should have pulled the blue/white curtain across during breakouts.
• Have an earlier start time.
• smaller, several meetings, perhaps, too long, too large for one meeting
• shorter: forget the reports out: have the into consolidated afterwards
• Give everyone the information that each group has , not just the strategies for the one discussion group and person is involved in
• End by 9 p.m. (yawn!)
• Groups meet in smaller rooms so people can hear & interact better.
• Make the ending time clearer in the paper. I rushed to get here by 5:30 only to find it was a half hour of music -- not great for parents. Affordable housing does not mean that we need more government or non-profit subsidies it means reduce fees & restriction that inflate housing costs.
• Some breaks to get off these chairs! But otherwise very well done. Thank You.
• it was pretty hard to hear in our small groups. We could have gone out to different rooms. It was hard to hear pat Lampton. Electronic voting went well. We had great folks in our group.
• I was pleased with organization of meeting, Good job.
• Not a thing -- It was great!
• More computer laptops and website to increase coordination and data collection.
• Hard to hear each other in breakout session grouping.
• Larger screens, louder PA system. Too long!
• Small group materials (attached to walls) be simple bullet points - not short essays! Pizza - yum!!
• less time spent on group reports - instead each group have a recorder - all notes taken and written in email report . Any way to make meeting shorter.
• I didn't realize that the boxes I checked at registration would equal the focus group I'd be in, and if I'd known more about each topic I would have wanted to be in a different group. The first half of the meeting was great, though. -Take out the small
• perhaps a location with better sound/less echo - The questions on the survey created false choices - but the answers compensated. Overall , VERY well organized.! Great Job!!
• Very good-- group was cumbersome.
• system to follow, better organization w/group brainstorm/make questions bigger on E-Polling survey.
• ??? Considering the size, I thought it went pretty well.
• Lots of good info, but too little time to comprehend. Maybe two meetings or smaller groups.
• It was difficult to hear everybody in our groups, so I would find a segregated place for the groups.
• Find a place where we could use different rooms for the groups. We couldn't hear each other.
• Didn't have enough time to read through and absorb the strategies. It was hard to hear each other when speaking in our breakout group. Quite a few people left by 8:30.
• Provide enough handouts and electronic machines.
• Was well done, can't really suggest anything that was not available/ met in tonight's structure.
• this was organized very - loved the voting boxes!
• bringing in an outside economist (from the dismal science) is not keeping the funding local. We have a good, educated community keep Corvallis Corvallis!
• specific locations for each group to work in. our group suffered because of difficulties in hearing and thus discussing
• it was educational and informative
• for bread out groups break topics down more and have each group work on only 1-2 topics. Would like to have focused brainstorming sessions
• ideas given have been heard before and many of the groups repeated ideas over and over again - maybe a different format to prevent that.
• considering the timeframe allotted and work already done I don’t think it could be any better.
• the group presentations seemed like a waste of time - where is that input going? Is it going to be used?
• You did well!
• Send info we were asked to read in brief time here - before the meeting (not email) so we can consider question and prepare thoughtful responses
• You did a fine job. Electronic polling was a fun way to kick off the discussions
• A bit shorter - make all strategies available before the town hall meetings so participants can read before if they choose
• Why were there not city employees here? City manager was not here! Department heads were not here! Mayor was here!
• Separate rooms for the breakout meetings
• more bottled water
• Find a room to use that you can meet with your group and hear them.
• You did a good job - appreciated striking to the timeline, providing food since we had no time to eat before coming. You met the challenges well. Thanks!
• Too much text to read at the beginning - need to shorten the points! The room was a bit too noisy - breakout sessions were hard to hear - maybe room dividers.
• Shorter meeting - 3 hours max. Was difficult to follow some oral reports. In general - well planned, directed and executed. Thank you
• Hearing in focus groups was difficult!
• have a specific break time if go longer than 2 hour. - What a wonderful, productive meeting this was! Thanks so much for putting it together!!
• Don't do door prizes -- too late as it was.
• Nothing.
• Get out strategy options on the web, and do it in advance of meetings to discuss it.
• Limit group reports. It was interesting, but too much information for people who weren't on that team.
• I thought it was well-done although maybe just too much info in a short time. Maybe get small-group facilitators who keep people on topic -- our group got off on tangents and didn't get much done.
• This was well done! Good job!
• 2 topics per group -- 4 was hard to get through.
• A little shorter. Otherwise -- good job!
• Less time on report out (drop it) * Drop the open mike at the end!
• Fewer strategy point -- not as much jargon in those strategies so everyone understood -- maybe some resources available in advance for those interested so we could come into the meeting with more background.
• Something to eat without wheat (other than candy) some fresh local produce would have been great. I really liked the electronic polling opportunity.
• *It was great* *loved the *electronic survey!* Whaoo! It worked & was flexible!! Small groups great. Written suggestions were good fodder for talk. Good facilitator for small groups - good humor - fine overall facilitator -
• I'm not sure listening to all the small group reports was necessary. 2. There were no people of color - very, very white middle upper class audience.
• not quite so long
• You did a great job --except for running out of water.
• Send "homework" prior to meeting so that we can hit the ground running with discussion instead of spending time talking about definitions and which variable or parameters or values to consider when discussing.
• No additional "add-on" questions
• The food you serve says so much. Meat, Cheese and Pepsi are some of the least "sustainable" options
• You did a GREAT job, but… Break-outs couldn't hear each other or read to proposed strategies on wall. Private rooms and printed handouts?
• electronic feed back on the poster concepts because it was too hard to hear of the background noise
• have small group facilitators who are actually neutral not biased. Use a dot voting system to identify priorities. Room was too noisy . Difficult to hear all night. When people reregister send the (via email to keep cost down) the strategy ideas; people needed more time to think
• more sound deeding in space to allow better conversations - less buzz
• I would have liked a place with not so much echo - but big rooms are like that … it is hard to hear through. Very good - thanks for al the work!!!
• don’t do the added audience questions in the polling!
• small groups had too much information to process in such a short amount of time - couldn’t be the thorough, group leader was rushed.
• make sure people know how to use the e-polling devices - spend the time teaching instead of failed warm-ups 2. make sure all small group leaders know the priorities and precise leading a group
• Too rushed. Either break it down to more meetings covering less ground in one shot or…make it an all day workshop or weekend workshop ( I know, the horror…)