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eager to be a part of the robust economy. The <br />Metro Partnership works to fill in clusters <br />when needed and to develop retention acid <br />support plans to expand established clusters. <br />Throughout the area, eiiucated consumers <br />look to purchase products and services from <br />businesses that are committed to Triple <br />Bottom Line thiriking. Employees and <br />business owners are active and respected -- <br />partners in the success of their organizations. <br />The majority of jobs are full time and pay <br />a living wage,or better. Every company <br />.provides health insurance and has an active <br />health maintenance program. Job satisfaction <br />surveys show.that employees and employers <br />in Eugene are unusually happy compared to <br />national averages. Sustainable health care is <br />of the finest quality and accessible to everyone <br />at affordable prices. <br />The many organic and sustainable farms <br />surrounding Eugene do a robust business <br />providing fresh seasonal fruits, vegetables <br />and eggs, meat and dairy products all year <br />long to residents. Our timber industry is in <br />resurgence with the harvest of sustainably <br />grown and manufactured wood products. <br />Our green buildings are the subject of <br />countless articles in trade and consumer <br />publications. Visitors from around the world <br />come to see how Eugene successfully melds <br />strong economic growth with an abundance <br />of quality living wage jobs and a pristine <br />environment. <br />Eugene's educational facilities are both <br />models of sustainable development and <br />crucibles of sustainability education. Schools, <br />like almost all other organizations in Eugene, <br />use natural rion-toxic cleaning supplies, <br />generate some of their own energy, and are' <br />models of material efficiency, reuse and <br />recycling. School cafeterias serve locally <br />prepared and grown organic and natural <br />foods. Students arrive at school on public <br />transportation or on their bikes. Wheri they <br />graduate, students easily find good jobs in <br />the community. <br />Housing, dominated by retrofitted older and <br />new green buildings, is affordable for the <br />average worker and is surrounded by natural <br />landscapes. The sustainable lifestyle of <br />Eugene is a boost to local culture, and artists, <br />musicians and fine restaurants draw people <br />to a vibrant downtown. Living in the vibrant <br />downtown urban core is a most desirable <br />housing choice; while neighborhoods <br />carefully incorporate well planned and <br />immensely attractive denser and affordable <br />green housing and mixed-use development. <br />The Office of Sustainability makes:the City <br />of Eugene one of the most sustainable local <br />governments in the world. It also helps <br />organizations of all types reach high standards <br />of Triple Bottom Line performance. The <br />sustainable purchasing policy adopted early <br />on helped make Eugene carbon neutral. <br />Today, City government makes all its <br />decisions based on sustainability criteria. <br />The county, nearby cities; utilities, business, <br />schools, the state and the City of Eugene have <br />forged strong connections and cooperative <br />partnerships designed to increase sustainable <br />practices as well as businesses and jobs. <br />The Sustainability Commission, composed of <br />business owners, labor, community members, <br />neighborhood leaders, academics and others, <br />supports and oversees the City of Eugene's <br />efforts, works closely with all types of local <br />organizations and residents, and ensures that <br />Eugene remains one of the leading mid-size <br />sustainable communities in the U.S . <br />~~- <br />