Manzama Impresses Investors Panel at 2010 BVC
In a highly competitive field of presenting companies, the winner of the 2010 Bend Venture Conference (BVC) is Peter Ozolin and his team at Manzama (www.manzama.com). Based in Bend, Manzama offers a service that scours through thousands of blogs, news and social 
media platforms to uncover information that is relevant and valuable to lawyers and law firms.
The 2010 BVC showcased an impressive array of entrepreneurial activity from all over the Northwest in software, digital media, renewable energy/clean tech and consumer goods.
Manzama’s market traction, as well as Peter Ozolin’s credibility and entrepreneurial experience, placed them highest among 2010 BVC presenting companies. The BVC, LLC investor fund, a separate investor syndicate from the event, is finalizing due diligence prior to approving a $200,000 equity investment in Manzama.
Calling all Shippers & Receivers for Freight and Logistics Solutions
A transportation focus group in Redmond wants to hear from companies that ship or receive fright in Central Oregon. The goal is to open collaboration between traded-sector companies and unite resources to help solve fright and logistics challenges in Redmond. This includes everything from air cargo, to ground package delivery, truck load or LTL.
The goal of the group is to involve the business community and find solutions to potential road blocks. If you would like to join a future discussion or have questions, contact REDI Manager, Jon Stark.
Congratulations to 2010 EDCO Annual Award Winners!
There’s no better way to celebrate the conclusion of industry month and October than with the EDCO Annual Awards! EDCO staff was joined by over 160 people on October 28th for an evening of great food and beverage, networking, and recognition of business excellence throughout Central Oregon. We were pleased to honor these outstanding individuals and companies:
- Public Person(s) of the Year: Colleen Miller (City of Bend) and Mike Morgan (City of Madras)
- Private Person of the Year: Rod Ray (Bend Research)
- Entrepreneur of the Year: Lisa Flynn (Whippersnappers)
- Economic Development Partnership of the Year: Adopt-A-Business (A2B)
- Central Oregon Product of the Year: Nashelle Jewelry
- Excellence in Manufacturing: MEDISISS
- EDCO Volunteer of the Year: Steve Westberg (Westberg Consulting)
- EDCO President’s Award: Sen. Ron Wyden
Please extend your congratulations to the winners as well!
We’d like to again thank our fantastic sponsors for this event: Beecher Carlson, Pacific Power and the Seventh Mountain Resort. Keep in mind those that may be deserving of an award in 2011 - nominations are welcome throughout the year; send to Dayna Dudkowski.
HiDEC Members Come Together to Solve Problems
Former Toyota executive, Mike Hoseus, lent his expertise to Central Oregon HiDEC companies again in October. The two-day event used 
the eight-step Toyota problem-solving process related to shipping, compensation for salespeople, and quality control.
Shipping was the focus on day one at the Deschutes Brewery. The group first learned about the company’s process, and then went to the warehouse to watch the shipping in action and to make improvement suggestions on the spot. Day two was hosted by PCC Schlosser in Redmond, where the focus was again on shipping. The team was able to pinpoint potential problems and suggest recommendations for improvement.
“Having other HiDEC companies participate in problem solving for our company was a powerful tool. It provided a diverse set of viewpoints that gave us new insights to problem solving,” said Nikki Olsen, Deschutes Brewery team leader.
| Local Cities Moving to Make a Difference |
Two communities in the tri-county region move to lower System Development Charges (SDCs)
The cost of new development is about to go down in the City of Prineville and the City of Madras. Both communities have worked to re-evaluate assumptions for system improvements and overall costs for their sanitary sewer and transportation facilities. The impacts are substantial.
A new wetlands project connected to the wastewater lagoon system in Prineville is expected to be approved by city councilors in early
2011. The new project increases wastewater capacity, and significantly reduces the cost of upgrades at the sewer plant. This translates inton a significant reduction in the wastewater SDCs builders and developers are required to pay. Currently, sewer SDCs for a single-family home in Prineville costs about $8,500. After the wetlands project is approved, that number is expected to drop below $4,000.
“Much credit goes to City Engineer Eric Klann and Public Works Director Jerry Brummer for their hard work. It’s nice to see government come up with solutions that not only increase capacity, but reduce costs for citizens and the business community. This is a big win for Prineville.” said Jason Carr, EDCO’s Crook County Manager.
In next month’s newsletter we will outline what the City of Madras is doing to make it a more attractive place to develop.
City of Bend Offers Informational Resources
If you’d like to learn more about the latest issues facing the City of Bend, you can have it delivered right to your inbox. You can sign up to receive news releases, emergency information and the new Our City e-edition newsletter. Sign up at http://www.ci.bend.or.us/e_news.html
Another useful site for City information is City Fact Check. The goal of this site is to increase public knowledge and understanding of important issues facing city government. http://www.ci.bend.or.us/city_hall/city_fact_check.html
American entrepreneurship slips
According to a pair of recent studies, the U.S. has lost ground over the latter portion of the past decade in the area of entrepreneurial activity. The SBA’s Office of Advocacy ranked the U.S. behind Denmark and Canada based on a survey of entrepreneurial activity, attitude and aspirations. The findings on each of these categories pointed to concerning trends, particularly around activity (where the U.S. ranked 8th in the world)– both in terms of number of new ventures and the viability of those new companies. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor’s survey of early stage companies found that four years ago 10.6% of Americans were involved in entrepreneurship compared to only 6.9% today. Some of this dramatic drop is no doubt due to economic conditions and the scarcity of equity or debt financing, but the trend is still concerning. Authors of both studies point to an apparent national apathy for startups in the U.S. while at the same time, other countries are catching up. Remarkably, the odds that the average American personally knows an entrepreneur are no more likely than in a developing country.
Vistage economic forecast presented by Institute for Trend Research
Last month Vistage International, an organization dedicated to helping CEOs across the U.S. and abroad, released their forecast for the U.S. economy moving forward through the remainder of 2010 and three years following. According to the Institute for Trend Research (EDCO’s Annual Luncheon keynote in 2008 and 2010), they expect the following trends:
Capital: tight credit through 2011
Unemployment: 7.5-8% by 2014
Inflation: inevitable but trend delayed
Interest Rates: low for 6-12 months, upward pressure mounting
Commercial Real Estate: don’t buy until mid-2011, current bank reserves will avoid 2nd crisis
Growth Sectors: plastics, IT, durable goods, tourism, temp. staffing, automobiles, food products
With these trends as background, ITR predicts the “Next three years will bring broad-based recovery…” and that “its time to start investing in your business again.” The economic cycle research organization also noted that the data did not point to double-dip recession citing that neither the commercial real estate cycle or pending financial crisis in Europe are strong enough to derail recovery in the U.S.
The biggest issue for U.S. businesses, according to ITR, is that business leaders being unprepared for year-over-year increases in their companies and corresponding reluctance to commit when action is needed.
Improving Education is Priority in Warm Springs
If The Madras Community Outreach Team has its way, Warm Springs could soon have a new school offering classes through 8th grade. Currently, Warm Springs students go to Madras for middle school, which community leaders say has a negative impact socially on the students. The Outreach Team believes it's best for students to stay closer to home by improving access to education.
The team also plans to work with local families and educators to promote the importance of receiving a high school diploma and going on to college. Rick Molitor, Jefferson County’s 509-J Superintendent, is working closely with Warm Springs leaders to accomplish this goal. Community leaders are planning a visit to Washington, D.C., in early 2011 to ask for federal funding to help implement the strategy.
Deschutes Insurance - Bronze is a locally owned, full service insurance agency. They write ALL types of insurance including personal, business and health/life. Being an “Independent Agency” means that they represent many companies and can shop to find the most competitive insurance program. A few of the companies they proudly serve are: Liberty Northwest, Allied, Safeco, Oregon Mutual, Capital Insurance Group, Hartford, CNA and many others. The staff has over 100 years experience in the industry and is an affiliate of George Peterson Insurance Agency. It is the right size agency, with the right resources, the right experience, and the right relationships in the marketplace to provide you with the best insurance program. www.deschutesinsurancebend.com
Set in Your Way Rentals- Bronze is a full service event planning, rental and design company. They cover birthdays, anniversaries, weddings or corporate events. Set in Your Way Rentals can bring quality, design, and style to any celebration and offer a large selection of rentals to fit anyone's budget. Make an appointment to visit the showroom, or check out www.setinyourwaybend.com.
Broad Sky Networks - Bronze is a nationwide broadband Internet Service Provider (ISP) offering a wide variety of services. They offer the following
business broadband services: Wireless broadband that includes: 3G, 4G, WiMax, VSAT and point to point Optical Wireless Broadband (OWB), Terrestrial broadband that includes: T1, Ethernet, Cable and xDSL services and additional services like VoIP telephone service and nationwide professional installation service from their sister company TechLink Services. Visit their website at www.broadskynetworks.net
Renewing Members:
Individual Level: Bill Montgomery (2009), Compass Commercial – Peter May (2007),
Bronze Level: Jones & Roth (1996), RnD Consulting (2008), Rosell Financial Group (2007), Steele Associates Architecture (1999)
Silver Level: Beecher Carlson (1987), HSW Builders (2008), MHi (1988)
Financial Institution: Premier West Bank (2005)