Johnson Economics

JOHNSON ECONOMICS is among the most qualified consultant teams in the preparation of Economic Development Strategies and Economic Opportunities Analysis in the state. Over the last several years, JOHNSON ECONOMICS has completed similar assignments in dozens of jurisdictions, with particular experience in regional economic coordination. See right/below for area specific examples.

JOHNSON ECONOMICS worked with the City of Milwaukie to develop an EOA, target industries and an economic development plan. The work included focus groups of key business groups, a detailed assessment of the industrial composition of local employment concentrations, and subarea-specific recommendations regarding target industries and associated site requirements. The analysis focused on the competitive strengths and weaknesses of subareas in the City of Milwaukie. The buildable lands inventory component of the project stressed redevelopment potential, as the City had a limited number of vacant sites. 

JOHNSON ECONOMICS completed the City of Beaverton’s Economic Opportunities Analysis in 2015.  In addition to meeting statutory requirements for Goal 9 compliance, this work included extensive analysis to develop target industries for the City’s economic development efforts.  The work also includes a Goal 10 Housing Needs Analysis.  The work includes refinement of their target industries, a market analysis of their industrial and commercial land assets, as well as development of a preliminary strategic economic development plan. 

JOHNSON ECONOMICS was retained by the cities of Hillsboro, Forest Grove, Cornelius, North Plains and Banks to complete a precedent-setting sub-regional 20-Year and 50-Year Economic Opportunities Analysis consistent with Statewide Planning Goal 9.

Areas of particular focus for the subregion include: community and economic stakeholder outreach; traditional agriculture and value-added; the existing computer processing, memory, and electronic components cluster; the emerging healthcare and healthcare education cluster; the emerging biotechnology cluster; the emerging solar photovoltaic cell manufacturing cluster; and long-term industry and research cluster potential guided by product lifecycle and subregional competitive advantages. JOHNSON ECONOMICS also conducted a fiscal planning assessment for Hillsboro under both timeframes to ensure adequate city infrastructure, public services, and revenue stream balance over the planning horizons.

JOHNSON ECONOMICS worked with the Portland Development Commission to study the feasibility of promoting an innovation district in Portland’s Central City. The proposed Portland Innovation Quadrant is conceptualized by the connection of Portland State University, OMSI, OHSU, and Portland Community College via high-capacity transit and the catalytic investments associated with the OHSU Knight Cancer Challenge. For this project, Johnson Economics conducted empirical research in to identify the metrics commonly associated with successful innovation economies. The analysis critically evaluated Portland’s performance across these metrics to identify opportunities and constraints.

JOHNSON ECONOMICS led a team developing regional economic opportunities and housing needs analysis for the City of Hermiston.  The work was adopted by the City in 2011.  The project included a specific downtown plan, and addressed issues related to a complex interaction between proximate jurisdictions in the area, the Port of Umatilla and the Tri-Cities area of Washington. 

JOHNSON ECONOMICS was engaged to lead a team developing a regional economic opportunities analysis for Central Oregon.  Johnson Economics evaluated local, regional, national and international trends in industrial land consumption.  A key foundational assumption in this analysis was that there is a Statewide/Regional site need distinct from the typical local needs identified through jurisdictional level economic development studies.  A fundamental question answered was whether there are development trends/opportunities that indicate a need for large industrial sites.  This study primarily focused on the specific needs of this land use category.  The work was intended as a prototype for broader implementation throughout the State of Oregon and included development of several optional frameworks for coordinating industrial land supply between multiple jurisdictions and in cooperation with statewide economic development efforts.

JOHNSON ECONOMICS is currently working with the City of Hillsboro to update their EOA.  The work includes refinement of their target industries, as well as additional research on creating an innovation district.  The project includes refinement of the City’s Buildable Lands Inventory (BLI), as well as a detailed analysis of site requirements of targeted industries.

JOHNSON ECONOMICS completed an economic opportunities analysis, as well as an updated economic element for the City of Medford’s comprehensive plan.  The primary focus of analysis and findings was the adequacy of Medford’s inventory of large parcels for office and commercial development. We found an acute shortage and assisted the City in documenting need based on faster-than-average economic growth scenarios modeled in coordination with City staff. Finally, JOHNSON ECONOMICS and CSA Planning assisted the City in identifying a rapidly expanding hospitality cluster, its importance to economic diversification, and the likely resulting land needs of the industry in the future.

Our team’s work on this project has received special commendation from both the Department of Land Conservation and Development, and the Medford City Council.  DLCD offers the Medford Economic Opportunities Analysis on its website as a model Goal 9 report.

Jerry Johnson worked with Gramor Northwest in the development of an urban retail addition in downtown Lake Oswego, Oregon. The study evaluated the viability of developing a “lifestyle” center to serve local residents. The project included structured parking and a pedestrian-friendly circulation.  The project was done with extensive support from the Lake Oswego Urban Renewal District, which assembled land, provided streetscape improvements and helped fund the structured parking. The subsequent development has been highly successful, rejuvenating the overall downtown district. 

JOHNSON ECONOMICS prepared an overview of recent trends in land development, usage patterns and locational requirements of high-tech firms locating in Washington County.  The analysis included a review and reconciliation of existing studies of industrial land demand, including the Regional Industrial Lands Study and MetroScope.  Successful demonstration of high-tech land need supported an Urban Growth Boundary amendment for 100 acres that was recently selected as the site for a significant Genetech Corporation facility.  Site planning was subsequently completed by Mackenzie.

JOHNSON ECONOMICS developed an EOA and Housing Needs Analysis for the City of Keizer, which was adopted by the City in 2013.  The work was done within the context of a regional EOA for the Salem-Keizer metropolitan area and addressed the area’s current position within the greater metropolitan area.  The EOA work built upon the regional work and included a significantly improved methodology for refining the Buildable Lands Inventory (BLI).  This project included an extensive public outreach effort, both to the community as well as agencies reviewing the plans.  

The consultant team’s work included evaluating and recommending revisions to Comprehensive Plan goals and policies and Development Code requirements related to housing and economic development.  As part of this effort, the team also evaluated potential efficiency measures for reducing the need for future urban growth boundary expansions.

JOHNSON ECONOMICS staff members prepared a comprehensive Business Retention, Expansion, and Attraction Plan to direct the redevelopment of the Bowman “commercial core” area located along the I-80 corridor, Northeast of Auburn, California.  Products included an economic baseline analysis, a business and property owner’s survey, vacant/prime redevelopment area analysis, and a traffic profile to evaluate both the nature of businesses within the highway corridor heavily influenced by Lake Tahoe tourists, and local and regional economic opportunities. Derived from an extensive community outreach process, project outcomes resulted in a Strategic Action Plan to serve as a guide for identification and implementation of specific actions and initiatives related to business retention, expansion and attraction.