Economic growth is a bit like the weather – while we never know what will happen for sure, knowing the forecast helps us plan for the most likely situation. An Economic Opportunity Analysis (EOA) is like an economic forecast for an area: it equips cities with information to help prepare for growth over time. These analyses help cities and counties understand which industries and services will thrive in their area, and how they can best use land within their urban growth boundaries (UGB).
To build an EOA, communities research their area's economic history and use that data to build economic forecasts. Then they examine how land is used in the region to determine whether or not there will be enough buildable land to accommodate the projected growth. Buildable land includes vacant lots, and land that could be redeveloped to better serve the area over time.
DLCD provides grants to help cover the cost of conducting an EOA. For more details on DLCD's grant programs, please visit the
Grants Information page.
Take a look at the following resources to learn more or
contact us. These sources provide answers to some frequently asked questions and common issues that come up during an economic opportunity analysis:
EOA Examples
Take a look at the examples below if you're curious about what a complete EOA looks like. Please keep in mind that each EOA is unique to a community's circumstances. The examples provide insight for a variety of city sizes and conditions and should not be copied and used without adding information specific to your community.