With Better Capital Investments Come Rewards

Beginning of article

Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By Bryce Ward, Philip Taylor and Ed Whitelaw

At Wednesday's 21st annual economic forecast sponsored by The Register- Guard and the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce, most attention will focus on forecasts of Eugene-Springfield's housing permits and prices; Lane County's jobs; and Oregon's jobs and housing prices for New Year's Eve 2012.

Short-run forecasts of such measures are inherently frustrating. First, they're proved wrong more often than not. Second, and more important, there's nothing we in Lane County - or for that matter, Oregon - can do to change the actual outcomes by Dec. 31.

Far beyond Oregon's boundaries, others and the forces they engage control our short-term economic fate. During 2012, we are, for the most part, birds in …