Please mark your calendars now for our upcoming OEDA training events:

• July 14th - Summer Training in Bend Oregon at the St. Charles Medical Center
• October 6-7th – Back 2 Business Fall Conference in Silverton, Oregon at the Oregon Garden Resort

Our website has registration and other details at: http://www.oeda.biz/profdev.html

OregonProspector is the only American finalist for international technology award
OregonProspector.com, an online searchable database of industrial land, is up for the 2008 "Stockholm Challenge" award for outstanding Information Communications Technology projects. The website is a project of OEDA in partnership with the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department. It is the only finalist from the U.S. in the "economic development" category.

OregonProspector helps businesses find the optimal geographic location to start, expand or relocate their business in Oregon. The system was first launched in 2003, by then-OEDA president Tim McCabe, now a senior policy advisor to Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski. McCabe said "We're delighted with the nomination, and even more enhancements are in the works to showcase Oregon's shovel-ready industrial sites. Companies ready to expand or move here work fast, and we want to exploit the power of the Web to show them industrial sites in our portfolio." Governor Kulongoski added "This has been an invaluable tool for companies around the world to get the information they need on doing business in Oregon. I'm very proud of what Tim and his team have accomplished, and happy to see Oregon once again being internationally recognized for its innovative strategies."

OregonProspector will compete with 33 other finalists for the Stockholm Challenge Trophy, a coveted award for information technology serving society. The awards celebrations will take place in the evening on May 22, in Stockholm, Sweden.

OEDA has been refining the Web site, and redesigning the interface and look of the pages to make the navigation even more intuitive and align the look of the site to Oregon's business development marketing site, Oregon4biz.com. Recently added features include the ability for OEDA members to quickly generate complete proposals for site selectors with all the industrial site and community information they look for in the site decision process. The new enhancements will help Oregon communities large and small to quickly, professionally and thoroughly respond to site selectors' and companies' needs. OEDA contracts with GIS Planning to develop advanced mapping and database technologies to develop the comprehensive OregonProspector system.

Updated Manufacturing Definition for Industrial Development Bonds
Legislation Introduced

This change would allow high-tech & innovation companies to Access IDBs

A bipartisan effort has resulted in major legislation led by Senator Gordon Smith, R-OR among others, to introduce S. 2885. This legislation was proposed by the Council of Development Finance Agencies (CDFA) to update the definition of manufacturing for industrial development bonds (IDBs). IDBs, a bedrock financing tool for the economic development industry, have been subject to outdated manufacturing definitions for the past two decades. Current law does not allow high-tech, innovation and intangible manufacturing practices to be eligible for IDB financing. This legislation provides communities with an improved tool for assisting with job creation, investment, business retention and economic growth," said Toby Rittner, CDFA's Executive Director.

The proposed change would allow for companies who produce both tangible and intangible property to access IDBs. The changing U.S. economy is providing new and exciting employment opportunities in the area of software development and biotechnology. Traditional tax-exempt bond finance programs operated by state and local finance agencies do not extend to these important and growing sectors of the manufacturing economy.

CDFA is asking for assistance in contacting senators to ask for support and additional co-sponsorship of this key development finance legislation for S. 2885. CDFA has prepared materials online at http://www.cdfa.net/cdfa/cdfaweb.nsf/pages/legislative.html that will assist in these efforts including a sample letter of support and resources for contacting Congress.

Economic Data Packet for Oregon now Available

A recent analysis by the OECDD Economic Strategies division contains a wealth of information about Oregon, and some regions and counties. Information includes geographic profiles of major industries wages, employment, exports, housing, income, poverty, small business, venture capital etc. This data might be a helpful tool for grant applications or for marketing your area. The 43-page report can be found at the Oregon4biz website. http://www.oregon4biz.com/p/DataPacket08.pdf. Additional economic statistics are also available at http://www.oregon4biz.com/data.htm.

Two new enterprise zones designated – eleven more applications pending
Bob Repine, the director of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department (OECDD) approved applications for Deschutes County and Estacada to establish enterprise zones in their areas.

"We have three openings in our zone inventory, and were able to quickly meet the needs of these communities at a time when immediate economic impact is especially important," said Repine.

There are 11 additional enterprise zones under consideration now for new designation or redesignation effective July 1, 2008. They include Coquille Valley, Greater Umatilla, Lower Columbia Maritime, Medford, Milwaukie/North Clackamas County, Portland, Oakridge/Westfir, Pendleton/Pilot Rock, Port Orford, Sutherlin/Oakland, and Tillamook String of Pearls.

Oregon now has 58 enterprise zones, of which 48 are rural. There are 59 zones currently allowed by statute. In the 2006-2007 tax year, 133 separate business development projects used enterprise zone exemption, creating 1,772 new jobs this year alone.

Local governments use enterprise zones to entice businesses to stay, expand or move into a zone. Zone designation gives municipalities authority to abate property taxes on new investments within the zones. Abatements are typically for three to five years in a standard enterprise zone, and up to 15 in a rural zone. These tax incentives are attractive to businesses because they help offset the high cost of making a capital investment. The Legislature designates the number of enterprise zones that are permitted within the state. Local governments compete for the designations, and the program is administered by OECDD. For more information on enterprise zones, visit: http://econ.oregon.gov/ECDD/thezones/index.shtml

Job Opportunities

USDA Rural Development-Oregon is seeking a civil engineer focused on renewable energy or energy efficiency in their State Office in Portland. The application deadline is May 12. See the link for details: http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?JobID=70767631

Training & Event Opportunities

Greenlight Greater Portland Summit on June 4th from 10-1:30 pm at the Portland Art Museum featuring keynote speaker Richard Florida. Register online at https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?eventid=159946
Cost $90.00