OEDA Adopts Resolution to Support Regional Investment Program Funding
The Regional Investment Program is a proven, valuable resource for local communities to implement its economic development goals. This program needs your support. The OEDA board unanimously passed a resolution to support $5 million in maintenance funding for regional investment boards at the 2008 Supplemental Legislative Session [click here to view pdf]. Please lend your voice of support by sending a copy of the resolution with a personal letter of your support to your local legislator. For current legislator contact information see http://www.leg.state.or.us/findlegsltr/

CleanTech - a Promising Industry Cluster for Oregon
Contributed by Bruce Laird, Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, Business Development Officer
CleanTech is defined as those technologies that provide superior performance at lower costs and significantly reduce or eliminate negative ecological impacts. The fastest growing CleanTech sector is Green Energy Generation where we find the Westerns States dominating the investment totals with over 40% of the "action" in 2006.

The CleanTech space is now the second largest category for venture capital investment and has the highest investment momentum of any of the categories. Solar manufacturing is growing at over 35% and wind at over 20% annually compounded rates.

Oregon is a leader in CleanTech development with over 1,000 MW of installed wind power capacity and, we believe, the highest level of residential solar installation per capita in the US in 2007. Oregon has the largest PV manufacturer in the Americas with SolarWorld in Hillsboro and the largest solar wafer manufacturer with Solaicx in Portland.

OECDD is moving into the second year of our CleanTech marketing plan. We are encouraging all of our partners to take a look at this industry and consider adding it as a target in their marketing plan. Oregon is unique position to be successful in this fast growing area. Please talk to your OECDD Business Development officer to discuss marketing and training opportunities.

For more information, see the detailed PowerPoint presentation on the OEDA website [click here]. contact Bruce Laird at 541-776-6234 x12 or [email]

Business Recruitment Tradeshow Calendar for 2008
OEDA leaders are partnering with PGE, the Portland Development Commission and OECDD to coordinate business recruitment efforts and share information about tradeshow opportunities around the state. [click here] for a six-page listing of all of the various tradeshows that economic development agencies are attending over the next year. Please contact the organizer if you are interested in taking part. If there are other tradeshows that should be added – please let us know at admin@oeda.biz. For more information please contact Steve Vincent at 541-858-4773 or [email].

Assistance for U.S. Manufacturers Impacted by Import Competition
Contributed by Doug Thompson, Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NWTAAC)
Is it becoming more difficult for companies in your area to compete in the global marketplace? Have sales or production declined due, in part, to competition from imports? Has foreign competition caused them to layoff employees or cut work hours? If you answered "yes" to any of one these questions, these companies could be eligible for federal grant funding to help it remain viable and competitive in the global marketplace.

Since 1979, NWTAAC has assisted manufacturing, agricultural and seafood companies in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington grow and increase their profitability. They provide federal funding, technical expertise and planning assistance to aid qualifying companies in making the strategic changes necessary to remain competitive. Throughout their 25+ year history, they have helped hundreds of firms adjust to changing markets.

For more details, please see the new website, www.nwtaac.org and contact Doug Thompson - Client Development Manager at the Northwest Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (NWTAAC), 223 North 6th Street Room 300, Boise Idaho 83702, Telephone 208.343.6855 or [e-mail]

Save the Date:
OEDA Spring Training scheduled for April 21st
The Spring Training will be held in the Salem area. For more information and sponsorship opportunities please contact Colin Sears [email].

Job Opportunities
Find all the details on our website at http://oeda.biz/jobopen.html

• Economic Development Director - Pendleton, Oregon
• Economic Development Director - Seaside, Oregon - please e-mail to director@seasidechamber.com
• Oregon Bio-Economy and Sustainable Technologies (or BEST) Executive Director - Portland, Oregon

If you have questions or information you would like to share with our members, please contact me.