County looks to boost tourism.Byline: Randi Bjornstad The Register-Guard Many Oregon communities have begun to see the convention and tourism business as one of the most attractive industries to woo to create economic stability, and Lane County doesn't want to be left behind. Spurred by hearing at a regional tourism summit in January that Salem, Newport, Albany and Bend all have new convention facilities in the works that could draw tourism away from Lane County, the county commissioners have established a 12-member task force of business and government leaders to sum up the situation and draft a plan. "We came out of the summit with the consensus that tourism would be a good leading strategy for economic development," task force Chairman Bob Zagorin said. "We also realized that we are falling behind." Perhaps because of its longtime long·time adj. Having existed or persisted for a long time: a longtime friend; a longtime resident of Detroit. longtime Adjective status as the second-largest population center in the state, Lane County became complacent com·pla·cent adj. 1. Contented to a fault; self-satisfied and unconcerned: He had become complacent after years of success. 2. Eager to please; complaisant. while others forged ahead, Zagorin said. Tourism brings $472 million annually into the Lane County economy, but other, smaller communities may have done more to hone their tourism industries. "At least a half-dozen places have not been standing still, and now we are losing our competitive advantage," Zagorin said. "We need to be looking ahead to where we want to be five or 10 years from now." The task force will compile as much information as it can as quickly as it can, including the results of economic development and tourism surveys already completed by the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Lane County, and turn it all over to a consultant "to look at the data and tell us where we can get the biggest bang for the buck," according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Zagorin. Possibilities for bolstering local tourism include upgrading facilities at the Lane Events Center; building a new first-class hotel and conference center in Eugene or Springfield; creating a "riverwalk" along the Amazon Channel, similar to that in San Antonio, Texas “San Antonio” redirects here. For other uses, see San Antonio (disambiguation). San Antonio is the second most populous city in Texas, the third most populous metropolitan area in Texas, and is the seventh most populous city in the United States. As of the 2006 U.S. ; and seeking federal funds Federal Funds Funds deposited to regional Federal Reserve Banks by commercial banks, including funds in excess of reserve requirements. Notes: These non-interest bearing deposits are lent out at the Fed funds rate to other banks unable to meet overnight reserve to redesign re·de·sign tr.v. re·de·signed, re·de·sign·ing, re·de·signs To make a revision in the appearance or function of. re the Glenwood interchange at Interstate in·ter·state adj. Involving, existing between, or connecting two or more states. n. One of a system of highways extending between the major cities of the 48 contiguous United States. Noun 1. 5 to make Eugene and Springfield more accessible to visitor traffic. Improving service at the Eugene Airport Eugene Airport (IATA: EUG, ICAO: KEUG), also known as Mahlon Sweet Field, is a public airport located 7 miles (11 km) northwest of Eugene, in Lane County, Oregon. also will be a critical element, Zagorin said. The task force meets monthly. The next session will be Friday at 1 p.m. in the Bob Straub Conference Room in the county's Public Service Building at 125 E. Eighth Ave. in downtown Eugene. For information, call Zagorin at 343-8320 or Peter Thurston, the county's community and economic development official, at 682-4062. |
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