Community Development 101

In general, all construction or development plans must receive a permit from the city to move forward. The city's community development department, planning commission, and city staff review all permit proposals to determine if the project meets local, state, and federal requirements. Before approving a development proposal, your city will present the proposal to a review board or advisory board and invite residents to attend and give their input. The State of Oregon has some resources and guidance for getting involved in your local planning here: https://www.oregon.gov/lcd/OP/Pages/Get-Involved.aspx.

What does economic development look like in my community?

Economic development helps your community grow sustainably and protects the community's well-being. Economic development are actions taken by your local government to attract, encourage and expand business investments. Economic development helps create jobs, increase tax revenues to pay for city services, and makes for a more vibrant community.

Your local government may have several initiatives to attract business investment, including:

• Providing grants or tax incentives to businesses owners

• building infrastructure like water, sewage, and roads to prepare property for future businesses

• offering low-interest loans to businesses looking to expand

• partnering with a chamber of commerce to provide networking and resources for people who want to start a business

How do I voice my concerns and opinions on future developments in my community?