New Plan Keeps Intel at Home, Limits Sprawl

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New Plan Keeps Intel at Home, Limits Sprawl
EarthVision Reports

06/10/99 

HILLSBORO, OR, June 10, 1999 - When negotiations began between Washington
County officials in Oregon and Intel Corporation to keep the computer chip
giant in place, much of the talks centered on a package of tax incentives.
However, somewhat surprisingly, an agreement attempting to limit sprawl was
also included. 

Intel, the state's largest employer in place, agreed to invest up to $12.5
billion on new equipment and plant upgrades, in return for a $200 million
tax break. But according to a New York Times report, the odd part of the
agreement was that the county asked Intel not to create too many new jobs.
Intel agreed to pay a "growth impact fee" if it exceeds a ceiling of 1,000
new manufacturing jobs on top of the 4,000 it already provides in
Washington County. If approved by the county commissioners, Intel would pay
the county $1,000 per excess worker per year for exceeding the limit. 

Thrilled to keep the existing jobs, county officials say they are not
interested in any major expansion and the strain it would put on schools,
roads, utilities and other services. Oregon is considered particularly
obsessed with controlling sprawl, but this deal with Intel is the first of
its kind in the state. 

Continued...

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