Bend, OR – At the Oregon Garden Resort in Silverton, Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA) presented their 2008 Awards of Excellence in Economic & Community Development last week. The purpose of the Awards of Excellence is to recognize exceptional and innovative economic development efforts in the State of Oregon in the following categories: Outstanding Collaborative Partnerships, Rural Community Revitalization, Business Development Success Story, Economic Development Marketing, and Economic Development Leader of the Year.
In the category of Business Development Success Story, local solar inverter manufacturer PV Powered and Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) were selected as part of Team Oregon, on behalf of their collective efforts to recruit solar manufacturers to the state. This award category recognizes efforts to recruit new companies, assist with the expansion and/or retention of existing companies, resulting in new capital investment and/or jobs.
Oregon now has a solar manufacturing cluster and should expect growth in this cluster over the next few years, due in large part to leadership efforts of Governor Kulongoski, Oregon Department of Energy, and specific tax incentives crafted by Oregon Economic & Community Development Department (OECDD).
Accepting the award on behalf of Team Oregon were:
- Mike Grainey, Oregon Department of Energy
- Tim McCabe and Bruce Laird on behalf of OECDD
- John Pascone, Albany-Millersburg Economic Development
- Roger Lee, Economic Development for Central Oregon
- Larry Pederson, City of Hillsboro Economic
- Colin Sears, Portland Development Commission
- Janet Young, City of Wood Village
EDCO was honored for the role it played in helping PV Powered occupy a new 100,000 sq. ft. facility and 40 new jobs, bringing the company’s expected total to 100. Albany-Millersburg Economic Development was awarded for its recruitment of Peak Sun Silicon; City of Hillsboro, Economic Development Department for the recruitment of Solar World to Hillsboro; Portland Development Commission for recruitment to Portland; and East Metro for Business for recruitment of XsunX to Wood Village.
In terms of total impacts from solar projects, Team Oregon generated more than 2,000 new jobs and $1.5 billion in capital investment. The State has received international recognition of Oregon’s solar manufacturing cluster. Additional information can be found about the 2008 Annual Awards of Excellence categories and honorees.
About Economic Development for Central Oregon
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO) is a private non-profit corporation founded 28 years ago and dedicated to building a vibrant and thriving regional economy by attracting new investment and traded-sector jobs (manufacturing, professional, headquarters and high technology businesses) through marketing, recruitment and substantive assistance to existing companies. Learn more about EDCO.
About OEDA
The Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA) is a statewide non-profit organization working to support economic development professionals who are on Oregon's front line in diversifying and expanding Oregon's economy. Learn more about OEDA at www.oeda.biz and more about the Annual Awards of Excellence.
Press Contact:
Ruth Lindley, Marketing Manager
Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO)
541-388-3236