| Business News in Central Oregon |
Attention EDCO Members: cast your online ballot by June 5 to elect five new Board members
If you are the primary EDCO contact for your company, you should have received notice last week that the 2009-2011 Board of Directors Membership Representatives are up for vote. Review nominees for the EDCO Board on our website here (instructions on how to cast your ballot via email are included). Voting concludes Friday, June 5th.
City of Bend and EDCO partner for a new local economic development effort
The City of Bend and EDCO are nearing launch of a new partnership to provide economic development services similar to those in Redmond. Eric Strobel, Business Development Manager at EDCO for the past three years, will head the new program 
and focus on Bend’s retention, expansion and recruitment efforts. An advisory board (currently proposed to be seven members) comprised of business interests in the community will provide input to and feedback on the new program. Pending approval of an MOU between the city and EDCO, the new partnership is expected to start in July along with assembly of the advisory board.
The advisory board and manager will be tasked with creating the City of Bend’s overall strategic economic development policy in coordination with EDCO’s regional strategic plan and overseeing the implementation of an economic development program. “EDCO currently works closely with the City project by project, but a more focused effort, better coordination with City staff, local business development organizations and other community leaders will result from the new partnership,” said Roger Lee, Executive Director for EDCO.
International trade expertise benefits Central Oregon 
As part of World Trade Week, experts from Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) consulted last week with local companies interested in exporting their product or services. In one-on-ones and an informal group luncheon, local manufacturers had an opportunity to explore the ins and outs with trade specialists Ed Burton, President of the US-Saudi Arabian Business Council and Jun Mokudai, Director of the Japan Representative Office. Burton and Mokudai presented ways in which their countries and US exporters can improve trade relations in both directions. Noting Japan and Oregon’s long positive trade history (and the high regard Japanese have for Oregon), Mokudai said OECDD is working with both countries’ tourism departments to increase exchange. Idatech, Stratos Aircraft, Mountain High Oxygen Systems, and Kialoa Paddles were among the 25 attendees. The sequel? Look for trade reps from Mexico and Canada this next year.
Local company, InEnTec, creates joint venture with Houston-based Waste Management
Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE: WMI) and Bend-based InEnTec LLC recently announced the formation of a joint venture to operate facilities using InEnTec's Plasma Enhanced Melter (PEM™) technology. Waste Management operates the country's largest landfill network, including 111 landfill-gas-to-energy plants. InEnTec, an innovative company EDCO recruited to Bend two years ago, holds patented technology on the conversion of waste to clean energy. The joint venture, called S4 Energy Solutions LLC, will develop, operate and market plasma gasification facilities throughout the country. S4 Energy Solutions is expected to process waste from the country’s increasingly segmented commercial and industrial waste streams to produce a range of renewable energy and environmentally beneficial fuels and industrial products as well as to generate electricity. Read more about InEnTec's joint venture with Waste Management.
EDCO Board Member Becky Johnson becomes permanent head of OSU-Cascades
After a long but successful battle to retain the local campus, Becky Johnson, who has served as interim vice president of OSU-Cascades for six months, accepted a permanent position as campus vice president. Johnson waged a successful campaign to thwart potential closure of the campus, building strong community support from many corners. Lobbying action resulted in over 500 individuals appearing in front of the state budget-writing Joint Ways and Means Committee. Roger Lee, Executive Director of EDCO, was one of a handful of attendees who spoke on behalf of the campus and its important connection in creating an environment conducive to recruiting attractive companies to the region. Johnson says she looks forward to the next challenge of increasing enrollment and creating a campus in Central Oregon that is unique within the statewide system.
REDI set GO! Redmond Enterprise Zone expands to encompass Sisters
On June 30, 2009 the current Redmond Enterprise Zone will sunset and on July 1 receive a new designation. The proposed name of the new zone, which now includes 274 acres in Sisters, is the “Greater Redmond Enterprise Zone.” In an effort to offset budget constraints, other changes to the zone include reductions in the package of local incentives provided by the City of Redmond for building permit and land use fees, as well as SDC charges. To further assist the City of Redmond, EDCO and REDI have agreed to become the administrative “Manager” for the Greater Redmond Enterprise Zone. “We’re pleased to have the opportunity to continue our local incentive program. Over the last ten years, the E-Zone has assisted 115 companies, created over 1700 jobs, and encouraged nearly $125 million in capital investment,” noted Jon Stark, REDI Manager.
Sisters leaders align on business-critical issues
What a difference a year makes. In 2008, the EDCO Board held its monthly meeting in Sisters and was disappointed to hear that the City Council held a lukewarm view towards economic development. One year later, the EDCO Board heard a different and welcome story from Mayor Lon Kellstrom, City Manager Eileen Stein, members of the Sisters Business Attraction and Retention Team (SBART), and Sisters Chamber of Commerce. City Leaders shared the progress they've made thus far to support business:
--Worked with planning dept to facilitate new business,
--Initiated rapid response team to serve as point of contact to be a welcome wagon for new and existing businesses to navigate government and get off the ground,
--Pursued and obtained an enterprise zone designation with Redmond,
--Leveraging Sisters area residents who have tremendous business experience and contacts, and
--Improved coordination between the City and Chamber.
SBART has recently worked with local manufacturer Bird Gard, which plans to build a new facility in the Sun Ranch Business Park, assisting the company with the City’s permitting process. “Hopefully, voters will see the benefit of a more business-friendly approach and we’ll continue to have that direction on the council,” says Mayor Lon Kellstrom. EDCO couldn’t agree more and will be there to support the Sisters community in their economic development efforts.
Prineville Chamber has sights on convention center
The Prineville Chamber of Commerce has big plans for a community/convention center that could revitalize downtown Prineville and bring more tourism dollars to Crook County. Chamber leaders believe tourism is the low-hanging fruit of economic development, and a convention center could provide more exposure for Crook County, while attracting larger events and banquets. The space would also be used for local business meetings, civic groups, and other events like parties, weddings, and fundraisers. Initial plans call for a 20,000sf building in the downtown area that could hold about 450 people. With an estimated cost of about $3-milllion, the Chamber says money from the project will likely come from fundraisers, grants, and foundations. If approved, construction is likely several years away.
All 36 of Oregon’s counties now on economic distressed list
The Oregon Economic & Community Development Department (OECDD) operates many of the programs used to attract new companies to the state, help existing employers, and assist communities with funding vital public infrastructure including municipal water, wastewater and transportation projects. The Department uses measures of economic distress to assess community need and magnitude for financial assistance for these programs. As a result of the current economic environment, a new and temporary methodology has been implemented which places every county in Oregon in the economic distressed category. The list is calculated using monthly unemployment data and will be updated monthly as new data becomes available. Unemployment has spiked dramatically across Oregon, particularly in the tri-county area over the past year. For all of 2008, 43% of the unemployed were concentrated in two sectors: construction and manufacturing. One in three manufacturing jobs in Central Oregon is closely tied to the national construction industry. For more information about the methodology used for distressed communities can be found at http://www.oregon4biz.com/distMethTemp.htm.
BPA gets new lending authority for needed power grid upgrades
Amidst unprecedented federal spending designed to stimulate the American economy, Oregon’s largest award of $3.25 billion was granted for the Northwest’s largest public power provider, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). BPA generates, sells and distributes power from 31 hydro projects along the Columbia River used by dozens of electric cooperatives and public utility districts in the Pacific Northwest. The funding is actually an increase in a federal line of credit used to complete big, complicated and expensive projects, so it will be repaid over time with interest – unlike much of the historic stimulus bill. Much of the added borrowing capacity will go for upgrades and improvements to transmission lines including the following possible allocations: $340 million for the McNary-John Day line, $115 million for the Big Eddy line, $342 million for improvements along the I-5 corridor in WA and OR, and $99 million for a new transmission line in the Tri-Cities area. The McNary-John Day project alone, which will link new wind projects in OR and WA to BPA’s system, is expected to create 700 construction jobs over several years.
How these new capital projects will influence rates has yet to be determined; however, most energy industry analysts expect wholesale rates from BPA to inch upwards in the years ahead. BPA just finalized a seven-year negotiation process for most of its customers (including local cooperatives) that will be in force through 2029. Under this agreement, low power rates are preserved for existing customers, while new development or large users, will pay higher costs (up to double current rates) if they exceed a local cooperative’s “high water mark” for overall useage/purchase of BPA power. EDCO will continue to monitor this critical issue, which important to many primary industries and impacts the region's ability to recruit new industry.
Larger incentives announced for Oregon industrial energy efficiency projects
Oregon industries are getting their own stimulus package with an increase in Energy Trust of Oregon (1-888-368-7878) incentives for energy efficiency projects. Effective May 15, the per-kilowatt hour incentive for electricity savings increases from 20 to 25 cents. Similarly, the maximum incentive for projects committed by the end of 2009 increases from 50 to 60 percent of project cost. See more details about how you can benefit from EnergyTrust incentives. Also, Nexant, Inc., the delivery contractor for EnergyTrust, will conduct a no-cost energy audit of your facilities; contact Randy McCall, Sr. Project Manager at 503-219-2970.
Tie with area youth charities boosts local connection for JELD-WEN PGA Pro Golf Tour
Did you know the PGA Champions Tournament at Sunriver’s Crosswater course is one of the few professional sporting events in the tri-county area? And, in just two years, the tourney has contributed $232,475 to local charities. You may also not know that the organizing entity for the Tour is a tax-exempt organization with two purposes: 1) to provide significant competitive and earnings opportunities for professional players age 50+ and 2) to generate significant charitable dollars for local charities to the communities where tournaments are held. Last year, the Champions Tour nationwide donated more than $9 million to charitable organizations – the most generous amount among all professional sports!
In the spirit of giving back to the community, this year’s JELD-WEN Traditions tournament is offering a remarkable opportunity for a broad base of local non-profits to benefit from the week-long (August 17-23) event. A new Charity Ticket Program this year offers any Oregon 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization with a youth-oriented mission the opportunity to raise funds through ticket sales to the tournament. In exchange for raising awareness of the tournament, 100% of ticket sales generated by an eligible organization will go directly back to that organization. Tournament organizers have set no limit on the number of tickets to be sold through the program, so in a time of a great need, this is a significant opportunity to raise funds. If you are interested in registering your organization for the 2009 JELD-WEN Tradition Charity Ticket Program, please contact Amy Biery or call 503-601-2550.
As reported in last month’s eCon Update, HB2699, a bill that would require companies utilizing benefits from one of Oregon’s 57 enterprise zones to pay prevailing wages for their facility construction projects should they exceed $5 million in cost, passed through the Oregon House of Representatives. In addition to this new requirement, new fees and specific oversight by the Bureau of Labor & Industry (BOLI) would also be mandated were the bill to become law. As a result, most companies doing larger construction projects would find that the Enterprise Zone would shift from incentive to penalty from a cost perspective – nullifying it as a recruitment or retention tool for economic development across the state. The Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA), Association of Oregon Counties (AOC), Central Oregon Cities Organization (COCO) and EDCO all oppose the bill as well as HB2429, which attempts to further compromise the program.
HB2429 has not yet reached the House floor for a vote, and HB2699 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Rules, chaired by Sen. Richard Devlin, and includes Sen Ted Ferrioli, Jason Atkinson, Ginny Burdick and Rick Metsger. It is hoped by the economic development community that the bill will not make it out of committee or that there are insufficient votes in the Senate to pass. As in the past, EDCO will keep abreast of both bills, provide updates and possible opportunities to testify.
If you'd like to write a letter of opposition to your representatives, or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact Roger Lee with EDCO (541) 388-3236.
| Upcoming Events in Central Oregon |
June 4 - Employment attorneys present “In Your Face(book)! Managing Employee Internet Use"
Like it or not, online social networking (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and more) reaches across generations and can touch all corners of the workplace. Use in increasing, so take advantage of this one hour seminar (7:30 - 8:30 am) presented by Karnopp Petersen employment lawyers to rethink your company's social media policy. Find out more details about the Karnopp Internet Use seminar or RSVP to Marisa Hossick or call 541-382-3011.
June 4 – IgniteBend #2 at the Tower Theatre – don’t miss this original forum for ideas and expression
You’ve heard the buzz, but what exactly IS IgniteBend? It’s an event where community members speak for 5 minutes with 20 automatically rotating slides on any topic they choose. Technology, their passion, an idea....you name it. The concept has been successfully launched in Seattle, Portland, Boulder, and yes, even Paris. Because words don’t do it justice, go online to check out the Ignite Bend videos. For more information and to RSVP (this event is free, but space is limited), visit the Facebook site for IgniteBend.
June 4 - Internal Fraud Prevention Seminar for business owners
Did you know the US Department of Commerce estimates employee theft causes 30% of business failures? And for firms with fewer than 100 employees, the median internal fraud loss is $200,000? Join certified Fraud Examiner Jamie Kendellen CPA CFE for a seminar sponsored by Columbia River Bank and Paychex, Inc. June 4, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm at the Touchmark facility in Bend. Kendellen will cover types of internal fraud, methods used to detect fraud, and useful examples of how to protect your business. $10 cost includes lunch and seminar materials. Register in advance by calling 541-322-4421 or email Kristen Warner Lee.
June 10 - Tompkins HR discusses how to "Right-Size with Respect"
Learn how to balance the business and human side of the equation if you're faced with right-sizing. Seating is limited, so register in advance by calling 541-749-9982 or email craig@tompkinshrgroup.com. See the Tompkins Breakfast Briefing flyer for more information.
June 11 - "Operation Resource Connect" - a boot camp for the unemployed
Worksource Oregon hosts an all day event (9:00 am to 4:00 pm) at the Bend Armory with multiple survival workshops and in-depth resource information. Admission to this event is free and attendees are encouraged to bring their resume for critiqueing. See Operation Resource Connect flyer for more details.
June 18 - Don't miss the last PubTalk of the season - "Inventors to Entrepreneurs"
Join EDCO and a panel of experts as they hear pitches from local inventors. The panel will guide and advise the presenters to take their product to the next level and become an entrepreneur. To reserve your spot, call 541-388-3236, email Dayna, or sign up online.
July 8 – Tompkins HR helps with one of the most onerous responsibilities - performance appraisals
Learn new strategies to implement or enhance your current system of reviewing performance, while making them more meaningful for supervisors and staff members of your organization. We will discuss avoiding some of the more common pitfalls in performance reviews such as appraiser bias, and the horn and halo effects. Seating is limited, so register in advance by calling 541-749-9982 or email craig@tompkinshrgroup.com. See the Tompkins Breakfast Briefing flyer for more information.
We’d like to thank the members - new and renewing alike - who fund EDCO’s efforts to recruit new companies to the region and help local companies grow their operations.
Renewing Members
Platinum Level: US Bank, member since 1998.
New Members
Individual Level:
- Kate Thomas, President of the Kate Thomas Group Inc. of Aflac, a local provider of supplemental insurance. Aflac supports families financially when illness and accidents occur by providing cash benefits for medical expenses.
- Jeff Payne, of Fieldstonebend.com, provides home owner association management, construction and real estate brokerage. Contact Jeff at 541—385-7799.
- Patty Vandiver, Real Estate Broker with Remax Town & Country Realty, specializes in horse properties in the Sisters area and can be reached at 541-771-0931.
- Jeff Witwer is President of Bend-based Carbon Neutral Plane, which provides environmental services for aircraft owners. He’s available at 541-610-6231.
- Bill Montgomery, a soon-to-be-retired SVP with the Corum Group (a mergers and acquisition company) has joined EDCO. He is actively involved in the Tech Alliance to build Central Oregon’s high tech community.
- Matthew Perry, Production Manager with CLS Fabrication, and current Concordia University MSBA student, can be reached at 541-325-1264.
Bronze Level
- Joanne Shackelford of Shackelford & Hanson, LLC, provides tax (accounting and bookkeeping) services and can be contacted at 541-382-4664.
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