25. Jacqueline Danos (Individual, Yachats, Oregon)
25. Jacqueline Danos (Individual, Yachats, Oregon)
April 4, 2026 To: Prosperity.Roadmap@oregon.gov Cc: Governor Kotek From: Jacqueline Danos, resident Yachats, Oregon Dear Members of the Council, For decades GDP has been used as the benchmark for economic growth and prosperity. Wiser ways to look at prosperity exist and, in my opinion, Oregon would benefit moving in those wiser directions. Slow and steady beats fast and hectic every time. Focusing on one or two large industries such as tech and corporate farming, which might bring some jobs and economic benefit, have lasting detrimental environmental effects. Communities across this country have suffered through catastrophic economic downturns due to the collapse of a single economic driver. They have suffered environmental pollution and increased health problems and watched as these same corporations receive millions of dollars in incentives to build or come to a state. There is a better way. Oregon has been able to save its agricultural lands, beaches and forests. These lands, once destroyed through overdevelopment and pollution, cannot be recovered. Just look across the country in places where development has taken over these precious natural resources. Oregon’s Prosperity Council would do better investing in our people through tax incentives and financial support strengthening K-12 schools, universities and colleges, and small business incubators. We should be helping entrepreneurs develop new ways to sustainably cultivate Oregon’s resources and keep the businesses and their financial benefits locally. Examples of these kinds of entrepreneurial endeavors can be seen in the Central Coast Food Web in Newport, Oo-Nee Sea Ranch, the growing farm to fiber networks throughout the state, and Sustainable Northwest Wood to name just a few. These are industries that grow local jobs and economies without destroying the lands Oregon has worked so hard to save.
Smaller family farms have been the backbone of Oregon. The movement towards regenerative farming and organic systems should be viewed as an economic driver and worth investing in and supporting, in turn growing local economies through environmentally beneficial practices. Investing locally keeps the financial benefit within the state rather than seeing most earnings go to benefit corporate headquarters located far from Oregon. Oregon’s Urban Growth Boundaries and the work of the Department of Land Conservation and Development foreshadowed what places around the country have come to see and do themselves. Building housing where jobs and transportation are located is integral to not only saving valuable agricultural lands but creates places, like Oregon, where tourism and the outdoor industry have grown to outweigh previous economic foundations of extractive industries such as timber. Chasing large corporations and de-funding our educational system is a race to the bottom. Oregon might see a short-term bump in its economy, but it will then see a long-term decline in livability. Investing in our people, through locally built, locally derived, and local environmentally beneficial prosperity would make Oregon a leader once again in creating a state where people want to live because their quality of life is not only about GDP but about health, happiness, and communities. Oregon would be creating a sustainable and resilient place as we navigate these incredibly challenging times. Please, re-think what prosperity means. To most people prosperity includes a strong community, a healthy place to live, and a lifestyle that includes the great outdoors. Oregon has worked to build that. We need to continue the work started 50 years ago and strengthen it. We should not be fooled into believing the values of protecting lands and local businesses is not as beneficial as jumping on the newest trend in economic development. Sincerely, Jacqueline Danos Yachats, Oregon
Parent: Appendix E: Submissions & Feedback · PDF: pp. 263-264