[October 2008 eCon Update] EDCO - Economic Development For Central Oregon

Welcome Industry Month…time to get those "must attend" events on your calendar!
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► Leading From Possibility
Thursday, October 9, 8:30 – 11:30 am
Keynote speaker: Guy Smith
Returning workshop leader from last year’s Disney Institute event

► Now’s the Time: Making the Most of Today’s Economy
Monday, October 13, 4:15 – 6:30 pm
Panel from Clear Choice, Deschutes County Title, and PV Powered
Part of Opportunity Knocks (OK) Best Practices series

► High Performance Workplace: The Modern Office Environment
Wednesday, October 15, 3:00 – 5:00 pm
Panel from Steelcase, Steele Architects, Compass Commercial, and Smith CFI

► The Toyota Way Leadership: A Comprehensive Management System for Enterprise
Thursday, October 16, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Workshop leader: Mike Hoseus on lean practices

► BVC Networking Event
Thursday, October 16, 5:00 - 8:00 pm
Networking for investors, entrepreneurs, and the business community

► 5th Annual Bend Venture Conference
Friday, October 17, Full day event, 7:30 am start with breakfast

► A Culture of Empowerment: The Nature of Participation in Tomorrow's Consumer Economy
Tuesday, October 21, 7:30 am breakfast; 8:30 – 10:00 am
J. Walker Smith, President of Yankelovich, Inc.
Presented by COCC Foundation Visiting Scholars Series

► The Other Kicker Check: How to Take Advantage of Overlooked Tax Credits
Wednesday, October 22, 10:00 – 11:30 am
Workshop includes Zenith TransLucre, Sunlight Solar, and Alpine Accounting Services and applies to all types of businesses

► Building a Culture of Safety
Thursday, October 23, 3:00 – 4:30 pm
Panel from Mid Oregon Personnel, Contact Industries, Precise Flight, and O’Keeffe’s Company

► Tips on Acquiring or Selling a Business in This Economy
Tuesday, October 28, 9:30 - 11:00 am
Panel from First American Title, Compass Commercial, PremierWest Bank, and Umpqua Bank

► Serious Business. Serious Fun!
Thursday, October 30, 6:00 - 8:30 pm
EDCO Annual Awards of Excellence

Top entrepreneurs and investors to attend BVC 2008
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Bend Venture Conference (BVC), the major regional event connecting seed and early stage companies with investment opportunities, has an outstanding line-up for its fifth annual conference on October 16 and 17. The conference kicks off at 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 16 with a networking event including over 300 of the Northwest’s top entrepreneurs, investors and service providers at Broken Top Club. Forbes Publisher Rich Karlgaard will serve as the BVC 2008 keynote speaker and will commence the all-day conference on Friday, October 17 at The Tower Theatre. In addition to Mr. Karlgaard, the Friday agenda includes:

Capnote Speaker – Rodrigo Prudencio, partner of Portland-based Nth Power LLC
Early Stage Company Presentations – five presenting companies vie for an investment fund of at least $100,000
Investor Panel – Featuring seven of the region’s premier venture investors

To register to attend, please visit the BVC 2008 website. Tickets for the pre-conference networking event only are also available for purchase.

Attention business: COCC needs your input for strategic expansion of its Computer & Information Systems Department
Eric Magidson, Associate Professor at COCC’s Computer and Information Systems department, is reaching out to members of Central Oregon’s business community for input on additional programs being considered. The college looks to understand your current information technology requirements, staffing levels, and future needs. The survey has just eight questions and average time to complete the survey is under 2 minutes. Please take the survey now.

PubTalk skips October…November 20th features intellectual property panel
Central Oregon PubTalk

In deference to Bend Venture Conference’s first ever networking event on October 16th, we’re skipping PubTalk the third week of October. Instead, plan to rub shoulders with investors and entrepreneurs for a fun social mixer at Broken Top Club. In November, look forward to an interactive, informative PubTalk panel on taking the right measures to protect your intellectual property. It features:

Moderator Susan Daly Stearns, of Susan Daly Stearns, LLC (trademark attorney)
Panelist James A. Ullman, Esq. Shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, LLP (franchise attorney)
Panelist Douglas D. Hancock, Esq. Hancock Hughey, LLP (Patent attorney), and
Panelist Bill Pierznik, Shareholder Alto Law Group (business attorney).

We'd love to get your questions related to trademarks, patents, intellectual property or franchises in advance of PubTalk; send them to dayna@edcoinfo.com. This PubTalk is a perfect opportunity to protect your ideas and business prior to launch!

Local entrepreneurs build on first success with second software start up
Local entrepreneurs, Paul and Josh van Eikeren, founded IntelliChem in 1999 and oversaw its sale to Symyx in 2006 for nearly $30M. IntelliChem pioneered Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELNs) for use in pharmaceutical research and development. Most global pharmaceutical companies employ ELNs in their most critical R&D projects, where scientists regard the ELN as their primary tool for collectin

g data. The van Eikerens are at it again, founding a company called Blue Reference with a vision for creating a software platform that is a natural extension of the ELN’s data management capabilities. Blue Reference’s core product, Inference, helps scientists, engineers, and business professionals quickly create solutions for analyzing data. Inference has attracted $500,000 in Phase 2 funding from the National Science Foundation and keen interest from top pharmaceutical companies. Blue Reference recently moved to new office space on Awbrey Butte to accommodate their growing team (seven members currently), and is recruiting for two software testers, one software developer, one business analyst, and two interns. Visit www.BlueReference.com.

HiDEC New Member

Outback Manufacturing
HiDEC is pleased to announce that Outback Manufacturing, a one source, full service machining facility with some of the best machining equipment in the region, has joined the consortium. Outback customers represent a broad array of companies, including aerospace, medical, auto racing, brewing, construction, high tech, public works, OEM, security, sports, universities, robotics, vision systems, and UAVs. The company is located in Bend and has eight employees.

Film Oregon Alliance grows filmmaking hub in Central Oregon

EDCO salutes the Film Oregon Alliance as they make progress on their mission of promoting the Central Oregon region to attract more film production. Working in conjunction with the Governors Office of Film and Video (GOFV), other organizations and industry professionals, FOA is one of the most active organizations of its kind in the state. Since its initial introduction meeting last October, the organization has been a solid resource for film industry employees in Central Oregon by providing a robust lecture/workshop series, crew call/casting announcements, and a production resource directory specifically for the region. The startup organization has delivered on its goal of linking industry professionals to stimulate more employment and help drive economic opportunity to the region. Check out their website at www.filmoregon.org.

Local SCORE chapter forms

SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, returned to Central Oregon having activated their Chapter in June. A national nonprofit association, SCORE is dedicated to educating entrepreneurs in the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide working as a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).The local Chapter has accredited 11 counselors coming from diversified business backgrounds, and they have already helped over 50 clients requesting assistance. SCORE never charges for what they do, and it’s a rare problem that they can’t provide professional help to resolve. For help or information call 541-923-8615, or on line: www.edmisscore.org/0701/logon.asp.

Join with EDCO to support COCC bond measure 9-58

EDCO’s Board of Directors has joined with a number of other private and government entities in Central Oregon in endorsing the Central Oregon Community College Bond Measure - #9-58 - on the November ballot. Like Mid Oregon Credit Union, Cascade Healthcare Community, Central Oregon Board of Realtors and others, EDCO’s Board sees COCC as an important part of our community and this measure as an important component of our economic recovery. Recent record enrollment increases show that people see COCC as part of the solution. Because we can leverage state and federal dollars totaling more than $6 million with a positive outcome, it will be good for the economy immediately. And with the cost being an increase of only 3 cents per thousand dollars of assessed property value, the average taxpayer in Central Oregon would pay only $6 per year more in taxes.

Oregon workers’ compensation costs decrease by 6% -- the 19th year of declining rates
A key metric for employers and economic developers alike is workers’ compensation. Employers in Oregon will pay on average nearly 6 percent less for workers’ compensation coverage in 2009, the Department of Consumer and Business Services disclosed in September. The rates reflect the 19th year of declining rates, while services and benefits for workers have increased. Since 1991, Oregon’s workers’ compensation rates have declined nearly 62 percent and the system has saved employers $16.4 billion. Oregon boasts some of the lowest workers’ compensation rates in the nation and the success of its system was recognized in 2008 in a national study by the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute, lauding cooperation between labor and management, accurate and timely benefits for injured workers, reduced litigation over benefits, and return-to-word programs. For more information, please see the links below:

COWIB breakfast event focused on partnership building to grow local talent
An effective education and workforce development system focuses on developing partnerships to grow workers locally for key economic sectors, according Barbara Hins-Turner, guest speaker at the September 25th Central Oregon Workforce Investment Board’s 3rd annual Workforce Forecast Breakfast at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.

Hins-Turner, the executive director of the Centralia College Center of Excellence for Energy Technology, spoke before 85 attendees about how a dynamic partnership at Centralia College, one of the smallest colleges in the state of Washington, created the specialized workforce education system needed by the growing energy sector. Industry partnered with the college, labor unions, and other businesses to develop an integrated system – from K-12 schools to the community college to apprenticeship training - for those interested in career opportunities in this high-paying industry. Participating businesses believe that growing local talent will increase the pool of qualified workers and improve employee retention rates, which means lower labor costs and improved profits.

“We can apply some of the lessons from Washington here in Central Oregon, such as the need to engage the business community in leading the development of specialized education and training systems that meet industry needs,” said Andrew Spreadborough, COWIB’s coordinator. “Strengthening our region’s high wage and high growth industries is critical to developing the economy, and workforce quality and availability are shared long-term needs for these industries. How education and workforce developers strengthen their partnerships with industries is a key challenge for the region.”

Spreadborough said that COWIB is focusing its energy on developing on-the-ground projects that offer innovative avenues for the business community to provide leadership toward developing specialized training and education opportunities in schools and WorkSource centers in Central Oregon, which ultimately will provide more qualified workers for growing industries. The Central Oregon Workforce Investment Board is comprised of public and private employer members who work together to identify current and future workforce needs and solutions that promote economic development in our region. Those interested may contact Andrew at 541-504-3306.

October 2 – February 19: HR survival series
Starting in October and running through the end of February 2009, Jan Baker Facilitates is offering a series of small, “personal-size” morning workshops where you can get answers to specific HR questions on a variety of HR topics. The workshops will begin October 2nd and be held every 3rd Thursday after that, with a month break for the holidays in December. Participants can look forward to getting clear, practical HR tools that can be immediately incorporated into day-to-day business operations. Workshops are at 505 SW Mill View Way, upstairs in Suite 200. Due to limited space (8 per session), pre-registration is required. Pricing is $35 for a single session, $100 for any 3 sessions, and $220 for the complete 7-session series. Call 541-389-2141 to register. The first two sessions are:

October 2: Designing Effective Interview Questions
How do I figure out if I'm getting Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde?

October 23, 2008: The Ins and Outs of Safety Committees and Meetings
How do I emphasize safety awareness to my employees?

October 8: Breakfast briefing on exempt vs. non-exempt employees
Learn what criteria the US Department of Labor uses to determine which positions are exempt from over-time pay in this briefing from Tompkins HR Group. A detailed look at each category of position will be examined along with special emphasis on the 2004 changes to the Fair Labor Standards Act. The seminar is Wednesday, October 8th, 7:30 – 8:30 am. Register in advance by calling 541-749-9982 or email Craig. Cost is $10.00 and includes coffee and breakfast items, and the location is 780 NW York Drive, Suite 202, Bend.

October 13: Sisters City Council campaign already heating up, listen to the candidates
The Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting a public forum on Monday, October 13th 7:30 – 9:00 pm, at the Five Pines Lodge and Conference Center in Sisters. The forum is an opportunity for Sisters Country residents to listen to the views of the five candidates running for a seat on the Sisters City Council. Three of five councilors will be elected this November by city residents. Council President Bill Merrill and Councilor Sharlene Weed’s terms continue into 2009. Mayor Brad Boyd, Lon Kellstrom, and Shawna Bell’s terms expire this year. Boyd and Kellstrom are running for re-election while Bell has chosen not to run. The three new candidates are Wendy Holzman, Chair of the City’s Committee for Citizen Involvement (CCI); Pat Thompson, owner of Sisters Rental; and Jerry Bogart, owner of Steelhead Construction Services. The Five Pines Lodge and Conference Center is located at 1021 Desperado Trail on the eastern end of Sisters. Residents and media are encouraged to arrive early for the event as the Chamber anticipates a large audience.

November 6: TKW breakfast seminar - tax update for manufacturers
CPA and consulting firm Talbot, Korvola & Warwick, LLP is offering a breakfast seminar on Thursday, November 6th, from 7:30 to 8:30 am. Topics from recent legislation include: bonus depreciation, increased Sec. 179 deduction, new ability to use Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and Research and Development credit carryforwards, and Alternative Fuel and other important tax credits. The event will be held at TKW offices, 4800 SW Macadam Ave., Suite 255, Portland. RSVP to Rachel Knapp by phone 503-274-2849 (Ext. 6263) or email manufacturing@tkw.com.

New Members
American Licorice - Silver

An industry leader in the manufacturing of extruded candy products, the American Licorice Company is one of the original licorice manufacturers in the U.S. candy industry. Since its establishment in 1914, American Licorice has brought happiness to consumers with their Red Vines®, Snaps®, Sour Punch® and Super Ropes® candy. But did you know that the company moved its headquarters to Bend Oregon in 2000? Their Northwest Crossing location is home to the company’s over forty key personnel, consisting of support teams in accounting, customer relations management, HR, IT, customer marketing and consumer marketing. The company recently signed an agreement to purchase 100% of its electric power needs for its Bend facility in Pacific Power’s Blue Sky Renewable Energy program and, as a proud member of the community, American Licorice encourages all employees to donate hundreds of hours of their time to support volunteer community service programs.

Susan Daly Stearns – Individual
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Susan Daly Stearns, LLC serves clients nationally and internationally in the areas of trademark, copyright and domain name disputes. With over 15 years of legal experience, Susan Daly Stearns, offers a full range of legal services related to trademarks and service marks, including selection, use, registration, protection, enforcement, licensing and transfers of marks, trade names and Internet domain names. A substantial portion of the practice is devoted to securing and enforcing registrations for clients' marks nationally and abroad through an extensive network of associated foreign counsel. She also offers services related to obtaining and enforcing copyrights and has extensive experience resolving disputes involving domain names. For more information call 541-306-6753, or info@stearnstmlaw.com

Aaron Ross, Ergonomics Northwest - Individual
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Ergonomics Northwest believes a healthy and efficient work environment enables workers to achieve their best while improving a company’s bottom line. By increasing quality and productivity while reducing injury-related costs, clients realize the benefits of ergonomics. Consultant Aaron R. Ross, a Certified Professional Ergonomist, specializes in industrial ergonomics, office ergonomics and mitigation development using “lean” principles. Aaron also offers comprehensive ergonomics program development and training for any type of company. Contact Aaron at www.ergonw.com.