KCEDA Meets with Blue Zone Representatives

During the middle of May, KCEDA met with Blue Zone representatives to discuss the potential of implementing a “Blue Zone” in Klamath County. The Blue Zone is a nationally recognized program; the concept originates from endurance bicyclist and entrepreneur, Dan Buettner, who traveled globally to examine the geography and demographics of regions that had longer life expectancy rates. Buettner identified correlations between these areas, finding that each possessed characteristics of family orientation, physical activity, social activity, dietary focus, and smoking less. From his research, Buettner developed Blue Zones as a way for communities to establish and measure goals for improving and sustaining healthy habits physically, mentally, financially, and socially. Currently there are 26 Blue Zones across the United States. Blue Zones will be completing their readiness report in early July. KCEDA representatives at the meeting were excited about the economic potential that Blue Zones could bring to the community in terms of workforce health and wellness. Who wouldn’t want to be known as the healthiest community in Oregon! For more information regarding Blue Zones, please feel free to refer to their website in the underlined link below. 

Blue Zones (Website)