U N IQU E LY E UG E N E
A VIBRANT ECONOMY “We are in a sustained pattern of growth right now, so various sectors of our economy, especially service, tech and real estate, have been booming, says Wells. “Part of that boom is due to increases in tourism and the sheer number of people that are moving to Eugene, working and creating here and contributing to our economy.” The area’s recent growth is spread across a broad range of sectors. Since the recession ended in 2010, jobs in construction, leisure and hospitality, and nondurable manufacturing (think food and beverages) have all grown by more than 25 percent. Health care, professional services and retail aren’t far behind. While this economic boom presents some inherent challenges, like how we will tackle the second-most constrained housing market in the country, it also leads to new opportunities for broadening our range of industries and brings additional benefits to local business with increases in both customers and a larger talent pool. Henley sees economic opportunity in the new, largely donorfunded, Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific
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“Overall, I think the breadth of culinary, cultural and outdoor activities, combined with all the conveniences and livability of a small, centrally located city, make us a very desirable destination.” Diana Wells, Travel Lane County
Impact, an ambitious $1 billion initiative to fast-track scientific discoveries into innovations that improve the quality of life for people in Oregon, the nation and the world. “The Knight Campus will serve as a major economic engine for the Eugene-Springfield area, creating new opportunities for new high-tech companies and outposts of existing companies as we spin off technologies and leverage the excellence of our shared facilities,” Henley says. This kind of launch point for incubating business also serves as a magnet for world-class talent, helping to build a pool of innovative professionals for the next phase in our regional economic growth.