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Lamar County — Paris Economic Development Plan <br />As Paris approaches build -out, the supply of land designated to accommodate primary employers <br />is shrinking. Without well- located land, the city cannot effectively compete in the race for a <br />sound, strong economic future. To support a robust local economy, development efforts must <br />focus on maintaining adequate real estate to meet the needs of primary employers and other uses <br />that will benefit the community. <br />The increased housing costs that accompany build -out represent a significant challenge to future <br />economic prosperity. If a high quality of life is to be maintained in Paris, these issues must be <br />addressed through the deliberate creation of a variety of residential options, available to a range <br />of income levels. This includes enabling the creation of housing in or near employment districts. <br />Criteria should be established for locating residential uses in proximity to employers, to <br />minimize conflicts between adjacent uses and to protect land suitable for primary employers <br />from conversion to residential use. <br />Recommendation: PEDC should coordinate improved housing development with the City of <br />Paris Planning Commission and local industry representatives. <br />Labor <br />The issue of "labor," its availability, suitability (skills), reliability (work stoppages), and costs, is <br />one of the most important issues influencing the site selection process. <br />Labor <br />RESEARCHER <br />Community <br />Current skill level of general workforce. <br />2.0 <br />2.5 <br />Training opportunities. <br />3.5 <br />3.3 <br />Labor — Management relations (work stoppages). <br />4 <br />3.9 <br />Current wage rates. <br />5.0 <br />2.9 <br />Labor availability. <br />4 <br />2.9 <br />Current Skill Level of General Workforce: <br />The majority of the workers in Paris are employed in relatively low skilled positions in the retail, <br />services, and food processing industries. The overall skill level of the workforce is medium low. <br />This is a significant deterrent when trying to recruit higher wage employers which need higher <br />skills. <br />When a site seeker for a higher wage company sees this situation, then the availability of <br />trainable or "under- employed" workers is considered. Under - employment is a situation when a <br />worker has educational attainment, special training and /or physical skills in excess of what is <br />needed for the workers current job. <br />An area might have a large number of under - employed workers for several reasons. <br />Paris Economic Development Corporation Page 21 <br />