OEDA Spring Training Highlights Unveiled
Register now at: http://www.oeda.biz/training/spr08train.html
Mark your calendars now for:
Monday April 21, 2008 from 9:30 - 3:30 PM
Northwest Viticulture Center - 215 Doaks Ferry Road NW in Salem, Oregon
[click here for more information on Spring Training 2008]
Agenda Highlights Include:
Welcome to OEDA (Optional) An informal networking opportunity to meet the OEDA Board, network with fellow members and learn about current OEDA activities.
2008 Legislative Session Review and Looking Forward to 2009
This session will be an opportunity to get a summary of the last Legislative Session and learn about what is on the horizon for the 2009 Legislative Session for Economic Development in Oregon. Bob Repine of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department will speak about OECDD efforts related to the statewide Regional Investment Program and a recently completed inventory of State infrastructure needs. This will be an exciting opportunity to learn how economic developers can assist in shaping the upcoming 2009 Legislative Session and beyond.
Oregon Prospector Overview and Training
Oregon Prospector is Oregon's official website for site selection consultants and businesses interested in relocating or expanding a business in Oregon. It provides site selection analysis tools and information companies need when evaluating a business location. This web resource provides a comprehensive database of available sites and buildings by city, county, type of property and size using a powerful geographic information system. Mr. Ted Werth of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department will provide an overview of Oregon Prospector and highlight the new and improved features that will be launched soon.
2010 Winter Olympics Contracting Opportunities
How might Oregon businesses benefit from our proximity to the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver B.C.? Amy Keiter of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department will explain the types of needs the Games are creating, and how to help connect Oregon businesses to the opportunities. The history of awarded contracts for the Games shows that no business is too small. Find out what goods and services will be needed, the timelines for those awards, and how to submit proposals for the business.
Tax Incentive Changes: Zones, Renewable Energy, Etc.
Arthur Fish, Business Incentive Coordinator for the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department, will present and take questions regarding recent legislation and business development activities related to: Business Energy Tax Credits, Rural Renewable Energy Development Zones, Strategic Investment Zones, Regular Enterprise Zone Re-/applications, Electronic Commerce Enterprise Zones, Reservation Enterprise Zones, and Oregon Investment Advantage.
Enterprise Zones in Oregon - At Risk from Inaccurate Information
Arthur Fish will lead this session which will be an opportunity to learn about challenges facing Oregon's Enterprise Zones and how Economic Developers can help in making sure this valuable program is protected. Topics to be covered include research activities and options to bolster support of the Enterprise Zone program. In addition, we will discuss messaging and performing outreach to Legislators and other interested parties. This will be an open discussion for OEDA members and partners to become better informed to support the program both locally and statewide.
2008 Special Session Legislative Wrap-up - Economic Development Related Results
Contributed by Doris Penwell, Oregon Association of Counties
Regional Investment Boards – No new money: Despite an excellent report from the Oregon Economic & Community Development Commission to the Legislature on the work of the regional investment boards since the close of the 2007 session, the department was not able to receive additional funding for the local program. It will be required to sustain operations with the $2 million allocated in 07. The Ways & Means Committee commended the commission and the 13 boards on all of the work they did, but felt there was no ability to further fund operations with the economic downturn and subsequent reduction of funds available to the Legislature. Any moneys left in the allocation contracts with the department remain and may be used for any lawful purpose including awards for projects. We will not begin an aggressive effort with the department to rebuild the program so that there is once again a local arm to the economic development work of the State.
Oregon Local Disaster Assistance Loan Account: The Ways & Means Committee approved and sent to both floors establishment of a new local disaster fund and provided the first $500,000 allocation. The fund will be administered by the Military Department's Office of Emergency Preparedness, with assistance from an Advisory Review Board made up of specific representatives appointed by AOC (3 members), LOC (3 members), one representative each from school districts, special districts, Military Department, the state treasurer, Dept. of Admin. Services, and two additional members appointed jointly by AOC, LOC and the department. The committee is charged with approving allocations from the fund for disaster relief projects. AOC put on record that we are hopeful flexible terms will be put in place for "Loans" to communities for projects.
No Funding for Office of Rural Policy or Sesquicentennial 150 Committee: It appears the Office of Rural Policy did not get additional funding beyond February of 08, nor did the Sesquicentennial 150 Committee get any state support for its efforts this year.
For more information please contact Doris Penwell at 503-364-9261 or [email].
2007 Earned Media campaign a success!
Get involved now for the 2008 Campaign.
OEDA is currently soliciting investment in the Association's Earned Media campaign, a project to communicate Oregon business development stories to national and international media, and compel writers to publish news stories that ultimately tout Oregon as an ideal business location. OEDA contracts with a PR firm to do this work, and invites OEDA members to participate and cover the cost. We are now getting ready to renew a contract to continue this important outreach, and have invited Association members to participate. OECDD has put up half the funds for the upcoming contract.
In 2007, the OEDA Earned Media campaign yielded impressive results, including 100 articles in high profile publications like USA Today, the San Jose Business Journal and The Seattle Times, and trade publications such as Site Selection magazine, PHOTON International and Industry Week. This effort has generated national interest in Oregon as a business location. Krista Hildebrand with the Frause Group, our PR contractor, estimates the advertising equivalency of the media coverage at over $350,000 on our $75,000 investment last year.
With a minimal investment, your organization has access to a professional PR agency to develop story ideas, write articles and place them in appropriate publications to tout your recruitments, community advantages, key industries, professional achievements and other news of interest. There is a sliding scale of cost depending on the size of your organization, for most of you the fee would be only $1,500. For larger organizations, the fee ranges from $5,000 - $10,000.
Contact Nathan Buehler, Campaign Chair if your organization is interested in investing.
Call 503-986-0050 (Salem) or [e-mail]
Other Conferences and Training Opportunities
Globe 2008
March 12-14 in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Thousands of corporate executives, government decision makers and leaders of the environmental industry will converge at GLOBE 2008. Conference themes include corporate sustainability, climate change and energy, finance and sustainable development, building better cities and the future of the automotive industry. More details can be found at http://www.globe2008.ca/
Making Renewable Energy Projects Happen
April 24 at the Doubletree Lloyd Center in Portland
Back by popular demand, the Northwest Environmental Business Council is hosting a one-day conference that will continue to build upon the great work being accomplished in the fields of power generation and biofuels. Last year's conference attracted 350 people please see www.nebc.org for more information.
Community Survivors 4
April 2-4 at the Alderbrook Resort and Spa Union, Washington
This workshop will teach skills and provide tools that allow practitioners to "outwit, outplay and outlast" their competition. [click here for agenda [pdf] and Registration Information [more]
Business Retention & Expansion International Conference
June 4-6th in Wichita, Kansas [more]
If you have questions or information you would like to share with our members, please contact me.
