Projects

Community Visioning

Hillsboro 2020 Vision and Action Plan

Jason has served Hillsboro 2020 for the better part of a decade, first as part of the original vision development effort, and later as lead consultant for the implementation program.  Over the years, Hillsboro 2020 has achieved locally – and modeled externally – effective means for generating citizen input and establishing broad-based community ownership, engaging implementation partners, tracking and reporting progress and ensuring the vision “action plan” remains relevant and meaningful through periodic updates. www.hillsboro2020.org

Grays Harbor 2020 Vision and Action Plan –
Charting the Course to a Sustainable Grays Harbor

The product of the most comprehensive public outreach effort ever conducted in Grays Harbor County, the Grays Harbor 2020 Vision and Action Plan is built on empirically tested community values and priorities – more than 3,000 people contributed their ideas –  and sets the stage for building a more sustainable and vibrant community through collaborative partnerships and targeted investments.  The Grays Harbor 2020 “Movie” features cameos from Washington State Governor, Chris Gregoire, US Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, and US Rep. Norm Dicks.  Unlike other city-sponsored visioning efforts, Grays Harbor 2020 is led and financed by a multi-partner alliance including local government, business interests, a federally-recognized Indian Nation, environmental and labor groups, and over 100 individual donors.  The plan was completed in July 2009, and implementation is underway.  www.graysharbor2020.com

Beaverton Community Vision – Action Planning Phase

Jason recently helped design an outreach program and work plan associated with the on-going action planning phase of the Beaverton Community Vision. Thousands of ideas have been submitted by citizens participating in community events, special presentations and other forums. The public involvement effort is multi-lingual, reflecting Beaverton’s status as the most diverse city in Oregon.

Cottage Grove 2037

Jason served as project manager for the recently completed Cottage Grove Vision.  Targeting a broad range of community members, the Cottage Grove 2037 team drew more than 350 community members to the first Town Hall meeting.  Other citizens participated through speaker bureau presentations, a project website and by completing questionnaires. A final set of actions was prioritized through electronic polling at a second Town Hall, also attended by hundreds of residents. www.cottagegrove2037.com

Castle Rock Community Action Plan

Selected as the National Rural Community Development “Action” Project of the Year in 2005 by the USDA Forest Service, the Castle Rock Community Action Plan identifies critical projects, improvements and initiatives falling under several major focus areas including business and economic development, education and personal development and other topics.  Since the plan was adopted by Council in 2002, nearly 90% of all recommended actions have been completed or initiated.

Other Recent Visioning/Action Planning Assignments:

• City of Kalama Community Action Plan
• City of SeaTac City Center Redevelopment Plan
• City of Wapato Community Action Plan
• Inland Northwest Economic Adjustment Strategy (US Economic Development Administration)
• Pierce County Agriculture Strategic Plan (Puget Sound Regional Council “2020 Award”)
• Port of Olympia East Bay Vision
• City of Toppenish Strategic Tourism Plan
• City of West Richland Strategic Economic Development Plan
• Northwest Area Foundation Horizons Community Action Plans
  • Bridgeport and Tonasket, WA
  • Town of Elk River, ID
• San Juan County and Town of Friday Harbor Economic Development Strategic Plan

Targeted Communications

Port of Everett Communications Guide

The Port of Everett Communications Guide details protocols and procedures for all internal and external Port communications. Earlier, Jason designed a statistically-valid community survey to help the Port understand what information constituents want to know, and how they prefer to receive it.

Thurston County EDC Vitality Index

Launched in 2008, the Thurston County Vitality Index provides time-series comparisons of economic activity in retail sales, housing, employment and many other categories. The Thurston County Economic Development Council uses the index to relate economic conditions to an array of business and community interests in an easy-to-follow graphic format.
http://www.thurstonedc.com/File.ashx?cid=547

economic Development

Camas Downtown

Jason led planning for the original Downtown Camas Vision and Implementation Plan, and subsequent update in 2008. Implementation is overseen by the Downtown Vision Coalition created as part of the action plan. Other products include a business resource guide and marketing folio. Over 20 new businesses opened their doors downtown within 2.5 years of plan adoption. www.downtowncamas.com

Corvallis Prosperity That Fits Action Plan

Jason worked with a coalition of 16 partner organizations to engage the community in economic development planning. Several interactive community forums, one using electronic polling, were attended by hundreds of citizens, whose ideas form the basis of the resulting Prosperity That Fits plan. The plan details specific strategies for balancing growth and environment, supporting both traditional (agriculture) and emerging (nanotechnology) industries, and harnessing growth in the local employment base to enhance local quality of life. Jason has provided support services and town hall meeting facilitation since the plan was adopted in 2006.

Downtown Olympia Action Plan

Jason recently led a multi-disciplinary team charged with reviewing previous downtown plans and identifying core emphasis areas for future investment. The team also produced a “best practices” design manual and an economic development resource tool kit, outlining various means for financing priority improvements. To tie these various components together, the team created conceptual renditions and conducted a pro forma analysis to show what one possible mixed-use development would look like, and how it would perform if the City chooses to proceed. The City will use this information to plan future investments and inform the upcoming Comprehensive Plan Update.

West Richland Strategic Economic Development Plan

Jason recently completed a strategic economic development plan for the City of West Richland (Tri-Cities, WA). The plan calls for a mix of redevelopment, infill and new investments to capitalize on the City’s emergence as a preferred place to live and its location at the foot of Red Mountain, Washington State’s newest American Viticultural Area (AVA). Jason is also working on an economic impact assessment associated with a proposed interchange along Interstate 82, and several other economic development initiatives around the Tri-Cities region.