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Community Standards In order to insure that public money is providing the highest return on investment, the following community standards are suggested: Transparency and Disclosure · Investment of public money must be cost-effective and results-driven. It must include an open and public accounting of how money will be spent and what it will provide to the local community. There will be an ongoing measurement of number of jobs created and the wages being paid. A maximum cap of $30,000 per job created will be available. (Economic development grants disbursed by Lane County shall have clear evaluation requirements as well.) · Application, granting and results processes are open for public review and include clear disclosure procedures. Accountability · Employers who do not observe these community standards will be required to pay back any public money or tax breaks/incentives that they have received and will not be eligible for further subsidies until they guarantee compliance. Employers utilizing public monies will be required to continue operations at promised levels of employment for twice the length of the subsidy period.
· Lane County will establish an independent commission to oversee and monitor compliance with these community standards. (Suggested composition - 1 county commissioner, 1 economic development partner, 1 workforce partner, 1 business representative, 2 labor representatives). Family Wage Jobs · Guarantee that any jobs created at any level are living wage jobs.
· Employers shall strive to hire a racially and ethnically diverse workforce, strictly abiding by state and federal laws governing equal opportunity employment, affirmative action hiring, prevailing wage laws and fair labor practices. Job creation, retention and internal promotion will be measured. For craft trades, the local area apprenticeship program shall be utilized so that local workers can be trained. Contractors or subcontractors must be a registered training agent with the Bureau of Labor and Industries when employing apprentices and shall encourage participation in apprenticeship programs where applicable. In building construction projects, see attached document “Build Oregon Responsibly” · Guarantee whenever possible that wage gain or career ladder development is a consideration of these jobs. Any public money invested in training new or incumbent workers should address this standard. Joint labor-management proposals will be solicited and encouraged. · Employers shall provide on-site childcare or child care allowances for employees. · Employers receiving public money shall abide by the County's Resolution for Workplace Justice requiring neutrality in union organizing campaigns. Local Hiring · Guarantee that any jobs created at any level are hired, retained and promoted locally first. Employers shall hire a majority of these jobs (at least 60 percent) from the local community. If certain job classifications cannot be recruited and hired locally, the employer will work with the Lane Workforce Partnership. · Employers will utilize local vendors, suppliers and services whenever available. At a minimum, 20% local utilization.
Sustainability · Economic development planning should encourage small business and existing sectors as well as recruiting larger businesses. Both rural and urban needs should be considered in local economic development strategies and planning. Smart growth principles (wise use and reuse of resources) should govern economic development; it should not contribute to urban sprawl. Utilizing underdeveloped commercial property will be encouraged. · Use of nearby existing mass transit routes shall be encouraged when siting a new business or relocating an existing business when public monies are utilized.
Community Standards for Economic Development Build Oregon Responsibly Mission Statement “Build Oregon Responsibly” was established by recognizing
the benefits construction jobs provide to the residents and businesses
of the State of Oregon. It is of mutual benefit to all parties that construction
work be performed in a responsible manner.
Being a responsible contractor, contracting agency, or project
owner is defined as providing family/livable wage jobs, full family health
care, a trained and qualified workforce, quality/professional workmanship,
and a safe work environment. To the end that these values can be maintained, a Partnership
Agreement has been developed insuring that only responsible contractors
be involved in the building and rebuilding of any given area in the State
of Oregon. It is only through
private/public agencies, project owners, contractors, labor organizations,
and the community at large working together cooperatively, that all construction
work in Oregon be performed responsibly. Only construction work performed responsibly, by Construction
Managers, General Contractors, Sub-Contractors and Builders, will be a
boost to the State’s economy, lessen the burden to its taxpayers, and
improve the overall quality of life in the State of Oregon.
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