CH2MHill was the site of the fourth Town Hall meeting of the Economic Vitality Partnership Plan for Corvallis. Just over 100 were in attendance and the keynote speaker was Dr. Robert Young from the Department of Planning and Public Policy at the University of Oregon. Mike Corwin a member of the Economic Vitality Partnership opened the session and was followed by comments from Elizabeth French, new Chair of the Prosperity that Fits Committee. Jason Robertson a Consultant with Barney & Worth Inc. facilitated the working part of the session. It was reported that 74 items were identified in the action plan promulgated as a result of the three preceding work sessions and subsequent comittee meetings. 34 of the 48 action items identified, 70%, were reported to have been completed or are ongoing. Jason Robertson intended for the audience to respond to questions by using electronic polling. Due to some confusion with the technology it was decided to have responses to questions by a show of hands. The most telling of the responses from the attendees was the fact that approximately 50% of the audience raised their hands when asked if their economic situation was worse than six months ago.  Dr. Young, in his comments, brought out the differences in economies with the old "Frontier Economy Model" and the new "Green Economy" that is sustainable. Corvallis is working towards achieving a "Green Economy" that is sustainable, by way of the Prosperity That Fits Plan. The BEC Business Enterprise Center was mentioned as a good resource to incubate businesses. The challenge is how to retain those businesses after they are successful. This effort towards achieving a "Green Economy" has been ongoing since its conception in 2006 by way of the Prosperity That Fits Plan. The Corvallis City Council and the Benton County Board of Commissioners have endorsed the Prosperity that Fits Plan. On May 14th, the Willamette Angel Conference is scheduled to take place. John Sechrest, Economic Development Director of the Corvallis Benton Chamber Coalition, is in charge of this effort. Over $100,000 in prizes will be available to the winning startup company. More information is available at www.prosperitythatfits.us
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