Creating closed-loop economies through reuse, recycling and bioproduct-based economic development: site assessment for Southern Willamette River Valley

Abstract

This report assesses opportunities for stimulating closed-loop economic development in the Southern Willamette Valley region based on the reuse and recycling of: (1) materials in the municipality, (2) agricultural and forestry waste streams, as well as (3) local government infrastructure improvements. The researchers used the following methodologies in the first phase of this project: gather preliminary data; visit communities to hold meetings with government officials, agriculture, forestry, community and environment leaders; research and analyze recent technical innovations and current business conditions appropriate for unique needs of the community; make survey calls to environmentally sound enterprises interested in locating in the Southern Willamette Valley region; prepare this draft report; get feedback from citizens interested in the draft report; visit communities a second time, involving workshops and meetings to determine top priorities; issue and distributing a final report; and provide on-going technical assistance, due diligence, business site specification and financing plan leading to implementation of business enterprises.