This event is for potential EDCO members, current members, and anyone interested in gaining insight into our regional economy and the catalyst role EDCO plays.  In a humorous tongue-in-cheek take on The Dating Game, EDCO Executive Director Roger Lee shares some of the organization's behind-the-scenes work to recruit new companies. Guest speakers are:

• Matt McCoy, VP at COCC and incoming EDCO President;
• Steve Emery, President of EARTH₂0 and member of the Oregon Economic Development Commission; and
• Mike and Caprielle Lewis of MPress Packaging.

McCoy will discuss the importance of collective efforts to diversify Central Oregon's economy; Emery will share insight from the statewide commission of which he is a member; and the Lewises will talk about the real-world business decisions they made in moving to and starting up a business in Central Oregon.  Columbia River Bank has generously underwritten this event. 

When: Thursday, April 24th, 4:00 - 5:30 pm
Where: McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Father Luke's Room, 720 Bond St., Bend
Charge: None – wine, beer and appetizers provided
Contact: RSVP to Dayna Dudkowski by Tuesday, April 22nd at 388-3236

Local traded-sector companies help the region power through national housing slump
As the region begins to feel more profoundly the impacts of ongoing slow construction starts and residential real estate sales, EDCO believes that the tri-county area’s manufacturers, high technology and other traded-sector companies could measurably help the region’s employment and economic picture.  EDCO has a record number of local companies, currently 36, that are either considering or moving forward with expanding their facilities, employment, or are making major equipment purchases.  Nearly all companies on the list derive a majority of their revenue from export of their products or services outside the Central Oregon region. 

Key for diversification, the companies represent a wide range of industries, with a strong cluster in the aerospace/aircraft industry.  Cessna, Epic, Leading Edge Aviation, Precise Flight, Aircraft Rubber, and PCC Schlosser all are ramping up production capacity and employment to meet market demand.  Combined, companies in this sector could add more than 300 jobs in the next year. 

Companies on EDCO’s expansion list also include G5 Search Marketing and GL Suite, both which provide software solutions for their customers.  G5 is adding an employee per month, while GL expects to add at least two per month over the next year to 24 months. In the food products sector, Rocky Mountain Products is just in the process of occupying its new 50,000+ sf manufacturing facility in Redmond,  Earth₂O has consolidated its operations into a larger facility (formerly occupied by Seaswirl Boats) in Culver and confectioner Goody's is looking in Bend for room to grow its production.

Other sectors represented by expanding firms include high technology, biosciences, specialty manufacturing, musical instruments, renewable energy, recreational equipment, and headquarter operations. 

Even though most manufacturers in the building products industry are contracting operations, responding to market conditions from record sales and employment numbers in 2005 and 2006, there are still local firms who have bucked this trend.  Structus, a relatively new entrant to the drywall products industry, has continued to grow through the downturn by increasing market share.  Bend-based Tri-Star cabinets and its Proshop Millwork division (see related article below) can’t keep up with orders nationwide for golf course pro shop fixtures and has plans to significantly expand its workforce.  One of the region’s largest secondary wood products manufacturers, Jeld Wen Window & Door Division in Bend, has maintained its employment and expects to add to its workforce this summer.  Warm Springs Composite is another company looking to expand its facilities and employment even as its neighbor tribal enterprise, Warm Springs Forest Products, contracts. 

The expected capital investment for all local companies with which EDCO is working is $127.7 million and expected new jobs are 1,352.  Nearly all jobs being created by these companies pay above average wages.  Looking at the latest available 12 month period (Q3 06 through Q2 07), the average wage for all employment sectors was $33,596 while jobs in manufacturing paid an average of $36,583. 

Forbes Magazine placed Bend high on their list of 179 small markets as measured in their Best Places for Business and Careers list. Given a population that would naturally have ranked Bend at #155, Bend achieved a much higher rating at #36.  Job growth drove a large part of that boost with Bend capturing the #2 ranking; educational attainment was also high at #36; cost of going business component was at #155.  See the complete rankings, where you can check out how cities compare with one another.    

In another ranking, Bend places 87 on CNNMoney.com list of 100 Best Places to Live and Launch a Career.  The publication gives thumbs up to the region’s sunny, peaceful surroundings, pro-business stance and tax environment.  Detractions, the publication contends, are Bend's relative isolation and direct air flights to major hubs.    

From thought to action…meet our changing economy head on
Following EDCO’s provocative annual luncheon speaker economist Alan Beaulieu, we’ve heard a lot of buzz about how to best weather a pending economic storm.  Karnopp Petersen LLP took the lead in creating a forum to provide area businesses with practical, actionable items for a downturn. 

Join Karnopp Petersen LLP and EDCO on May 6^th for Adapting Your Business for the Changing Economy, an informative panel discussion designed to give you more “how to” knowledge.  Discussion topics include how to assess the financial and legal health of your business, operate in a tight credit market, adapt your workforce, and better manage your inventory. Visit Karnopp’s website for more information.

When: Tuesday, May 6, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
Where: St. Charles Center for Health and Learning
Cost: $25/person
Contact: To register, email Dayna Dudkowski at EDCO or call 541-388-3236

April 17^th PubTalk features Dave Hersh, Jive Software founder
Join us for what promises to be a lively PubTalk evening.  Keynote presenter is Dave Hersh, CEO and founder of Jive Software, developer of social collaboration software. In six short years, Hersh has led Jive Software from a small open source project to an Inc. 500 company with 100 percent annual growth rates - all without raising any outside investment.  Hersh has significant tech and management consulting experience prior to starting Jive and has gained a reputation for his deep industry knowledge of collaboration, knowledge management and open source. PubTalk early stage presenter Lloyd Fassett, founder of Azteria, previews his unique database approach to solving recruitment challenges in the health care industry. 

When: Thursday, April 17th, 5:00 – 7:30 pm
Where : McMenamins Old St. Francis School, Father Luke's Room,720 Bond St., Bend
Charge: $15 for EDCO and OEN members; $25 for non-members
Contact: RSVP to Dayna Dudkowski by Tuesday, April 15th at 388-3236

Inventor and founder of WaveTech Engines gains solid funding
Brad Raether, founder of WaveTech Engines Inc. and an early stage presenter at January PubTalk, has secured $700,000 in funding. If you recall, Raether invented a reciprocating engine that converts linear motion into rotational motion, providing more torque and working power while using less fuel.  Raether intrigued the PubTalk crowd with a glimpse of his prototype engine and its wide range of applications.  Raether says second round funding allows him to move to the testing phase, where he’ll place working applications in cars, industrial generators, and possibly in pedal-powered machines - all in an effort to build statistical performance data on the invention.  In another sign of growth, Raether is finally freeing up his Redmond garage for cars, now that he’s able to move his operation to an industrial site near the Redmond airport. 

Application Filed for New Rural Deschutes County Enterprise Zone
On behalf of Deschutes County and the City of La Pine, EDCO has just competed and submitted an application for the region’s newest enterprise zone.  The new zone, which offers short-term property tax relief (usually three years) to certain qualifying companies which make capital investments and create jobs, would include the Bend Airport and the entire incorporated area of La Pine.  The proposed zone is approximately 7.6 square miles. 

Enterprise zones are nothing new to Central Oregon.  Redmond has operated one of Oregon’s most successful rural enterprise zones since 1990, and the Prineville/Crook County Enterprise zone has seen considerable activity since its designation in 2003.  Traded-sector employers eligible under state statutes include manufacturing, high technology, warehouse & distribution, headquarters, and back office operations.  Most commercial and retail projects are not eligible.  The program is also designed to not erode the existing tax base by not allowing land or existing real property to be exempted. 

EDCO sees the proposed zone for the Bend Airport and La Pine as an important tool to help compete nationally and globally to attract significant jobs and investment to both areas of the zone.  For the airport, both Cessna and Epic now have international operations and are continually being recruited by other areas and economic development groups.  Without an enterprise zone, there is very little local leaders can offer a company.  For La Pine, which has invested considerable time and resources into developing much if its 421 acres of industrial, light industrial and business park land, the program could act as a carrot to attract new industrial building construction and employment.  Much of the considerable workforce that lives in or near La Pine commutes to employers located elsewhere in the region. 

If designated by the Oregon Economic & Community Development Dept., EDCO will manage the new zone, as it does currently in Prineville and Jefferson County.  Designations for this year’s applications should be decided by mid-May and would be effective July 1, 2008.  More information is available about Oregon’s enterprise zones and Central Oregon’s zones.  

FAA certification changes jeopardize Central Oregon’s aviation industry
The Federal Aviation Administration, the regulatory agency overseeing aircraft manufacturing and air travel in the U.S., is proposing some new rules for manufacturers of experimental (also called kit) aircraft.  For more than twenty years, experimental aircraft manufacturers have constructed the fuselage, wing skins, horizontal skins and spars which are provided as parts in the assembly of an aircraft.  Over time, the industry has evolved, using machined aluminum, carbon fiber and composite materials in the parts provided to the kit purchaser; the FAA is now considering new rules which would bring wholesale change and potentially bar this degree of kit preparation by the manufacturer. Read the full story here and EDCO’s press release why these proposed changes could stifle innovation and hamper productivity in the region's aviation industry .

New leadership at area chambers of commerce
In unusual timing, three new individuals take the helm at area chambers of commerce.  Cherie Ferguson has accepted the director position at the Sisters Chamber.  Ferguson brings a strong marketing background to the position, having served as the director of the Women's Resource Center of Central Oregon and with Good will Industries of the Columbia Willamette, where she  helped launch Goodwill's re-branding campaign "The Business of Changing Lives.”

In Bend, SVP of Marketing and Sales Tim Casey has taken the lead role at the Chamber, following CEO and President Mike Schmidt's resignation to pursue a business of his own.  Board Chairman David Rosell says the Chamber will not search for a new Executive Director at this time and trusts Casey to lead the way as Interim Executive Director. Casey has been with the Chamber since January 2003. During that time he has worked with membership sales, marketing, and acted as a staff liaison to the Chamber Ambassador Council as well as the Entrepreneurial Council.

Recently long-time Prineville resident Brandi Hereford was named the new director for the Prineville-Crook County Chamber. Hereford has worked as the chamber administrator since June of 2007. The Chamber Board received 35 applications and felt Brandi’s history in the community and energy made her a perfect fit for the job. Before returning to Prineville, Hereford worked for five-years of as the event and exhibit executive for the Oregon Festival and Events Association. 

REDI deems Redmond school bond measure necessary, critical for economic health
In March, the board of Redmond Economic Development Inc. (REDI) gave careful scrutiny to the proposed school bond measure that would fund new schools. The business group came out strongly in favor of passage, stating the need for approving the bond was evident and timing was critical.  Bud Prince, Redmond Economic Development Manager, offers the following:

Passage of the new $110 million school bond measure 9-56 is critical to Redmond’s future workforce; the funds will pay for the construction of the new high school and elementary school.  The general feeling in the business community is positive support for passage.  Surveys support optimism across the community but concerns lie with the current negative economic news both nationally and locally.  Recent area job layoffs in the housing-related manufacturing businesses is of great concern along with higher prices on gas and other household items. It may be difficult for many to vote for increasing their property taxes right now.  Unfortunately, the cost of construction is estimated to increase 8% each year making it even more expensive in the future should construction be delayed.  Meanwhile the student population will continue to increase and they will continue to struggle with overcrowding at current buildings. Find out more about the bond.

New consortium members

• MiniMachine, Inc. (Bend, 8 employees), high precision machined components
• Suterra LLC (Bend, 55 employees), environmentally-bioengineered pest control products

New Steering Committee members

• Steve Bettis, Production Supervisor, Fuqua Homes, Inc.
• Richard Murphy, Continuous Improvement Manager, Woodgrain Millwork

Upcoming HiDEC events
Contact Eric Strobel or 388-3236 to register or for more information.

Value Stream Mapping
Tuesday, April 22, 8:00 - 5:00
COCC Redmond Campus

5s / Visual Management
Wednesday, April 23, 8:00 - 12:00 Noon
COCC Redmond Campus

General Membership Meeting
Tuesday, April 29 2:00 - 5:00
Deschutes Brewery Mountain Room