A strong economic base, made possible by diverse industries, family wage jobs, and skilled workers, enriches the quality of life. The resulting plan, Oregon Shines, envisions that by the year 2010, Oregon will be one of the places that has maintained its natural environment, built communities on a human scale, and developed an economy that provides well-paying jobs to its citizens. In 1990, State leaders took Oregon Shines a step farther. The Oregon Progress Board was created and charged with monitoring the State's progress with the plan. They came up with the Oregon Benchmarks - statements that tell us what we have or have not achieved.
Benchmarks place a priority on measuring results, such as adult literacy, rather than efforts.
Community indicators are more meaningful signs of achievement than are the expenditures on programs. They tell us whether our strategies are working to get results. By focusing on and monitoring the outcomes, community leaders and citizens can reset priorities and adapt and modify programs as they learn what works. In the spirit of Oregon Shines, the City of Portland and Multnomah County each launched similar planning efforts. The 1989 Multnomah County Visions was a citizen-inspired effort documenting the values of its residents and strategic issues facing the County.