 PRESIDENT'S
REPORT
Happy
Holidays!
The New Year is here, and our organization has a number of things going on in the next few months I'd like to highlight.
First, plan to attend
our Day at the Capitol on February 7. Here is the
agenda for the day.
Second, we have a
large contingent of members who will be attending the MD&M West Conference
and Trade Show in Anaheim, California February 11-15 (see
http://www.devicelink.com/expo/west07).
Third, the first event
in the OEDA Economic Development Training Series takes place April 10 in
Troutdale.
Finally, a large contingent of Oregon economic developers and business representatives will be showcasing the State at the Oregon event at the CORENET Global Summit in Denver, Colorado on April 29 (see
http://www2.corenetglobal.org/summits_events/denver_2007/index.vsp).
The CORENET conference
theme revolves around the Triple Bottom Line approach
to business, with a focus on sustainability of people,
planet
and profit
which is now a mandate for multi-national companies operating in a global
economy. As Oregon is an international leader in sustainability and
business, I would encourage our members from throughout the state to
participate in this event. If you are interested in attending this
conference as part of the Oregon delegation, please contact me at
searsc@pdc.us.
I look forward to
working with you in the upcoming year and wish each of you a prosperous 2007
full of success in your professional and personal lives.
Best regards,
Colin Sears
OEDA is re-engaging its Marketing Committee for 2007. This Committee will collaborate with the Brand Oregon effort to ensure that Oregon's marketing effort has the cutting edge necessary to effectively engage chief executive officers and site location decision makers.
Programs
and Resources
13 Oregon Projects Qualify for Income Tax Holiday
13 Projects in eight Oregon Counties are qualifying for the Oregon Investment Advantage, a program that compliments other economic development programs in Oregon and helps communities in eligible locations to confidently proceed with new kinds of operations.Â
Oregon
Prospector
OEDA's Oregon Prospector Review Committee is working with GIS Planning to make a series of recommendations on how to make Oregon Prospector, now ranked #1 on Google for industrial sites and buildings, even better.
PARTNERS
IEDC to Release
Economic Developers Salary Survey Results
The
International Economic Development Commission, in conjunction with 23 state associations including OEDA, surveyed 5,000 economic development professionals in the United States and Canada to produce the professions largest and most comprehensive salary survey.
Salaries were analyzed by numerous
career-related and demographic variables including metro area, population
size, organizational budget, and gender, creating a detailed profile of
activities, compensations, and benefits.
OEDA will receive a copy of this survey
in January. Click here to
pre-order
your own copy.
Oregon Chapter of
National Brownfield Association Forming
The National Brownfield Association is
dedicated to representing the diverse interests of Brownfield Stakeholders,
and is looking to establish an Oregon Chapter.
For more information contact
Brad Hill.
Oregon InC.
Releases Innovation Plan
The Oregon Innovation Council has released their 2007 Innovation Plan, a road map for the Governor and the state legislature to create business and employment opportunities across the state.Â
LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITY
Great news! Governor
Kulongoski's
Recommended Budget virtually matches the recommendations of
OEDA’s Legislative Committee.
Oregon’s Economic Development Agenda has never been in better shape prior to the opening of a Legislative Session. Given that: 1) Oregon has relatively strong economic footing, 2) the Governor's Budget strongly advances economic development
priorities, 3) the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department has
good relations with key legislators, and 4) the economic development
community is mobilized through OEDA’s legislative efforts, we are poised for
a good year ahead.
But it will not happen
without the full engagement of OEDA’s membership.
Please prepare yourself
to support the economic development agenda by:
-
Reviewing OEDA's Legislative
Position Papers
-
Contacting your State Representative
and/or your State Senator and let them know you support this agenda, and
will be visiting with them during the session.
-
Marking your calendar for OEDA's Day
at the Capitol
Let’s make 2007 a great
year together!
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Community Survivors 3
March 6-8 in Union, Washington
Economic development is the ultimate in
reality game shows. The goal is to be a survivor by using strategies and
tools that create wealth in your community.
Community Survivors 3 introduces you to the
skills and tools necessary to “outwit, outplay, and outlast” your
competition.
EARNED
MEDIA CAMPAIGN & SUCCESS STORIES
Oregon Communities continue to be very
successful in recruiting new businesses and fostering the expansion of
existing businesses. Check out oeda.biz for some of the latest stories in this regard.Â
ECONOMIC
CONDITIONS
Worker’s Compensation
Rates Drop in Oregon Again
Once again, the rates Oregon businesses are paying for worker's compensation insurance are dropping for 2007, increasing Oregon's competitive advantage over many other states.Â
NEWS
FROM IEDC
IEDC
Offers Professional Development, Information
IEDC will hold their
2007 Leadership Summit
in San Diego on January 28-30. This gathering of economic development
leaders will enjoy high-level peer networking, professional development
opportunities, and interactive discussions on the latest trends and issues
affecting economic leaders today. For the latest information on the
International Economic Development Council, visit
www.iedconline.org
IEDC
Offers 2007 Federal Economic Development Forum
The IEDC
2007 Federal
Economic Development Forum will be your opportunity to help frame
future policy directions that will be included in the new IEDC Innovation
Agenda: A Policy Statement on American Competitiveness. The forum will also be an opportunity to learn about cutting edge issues that have a real impact on your community. The forum will feature in-depth sessions on knowledge creation, federal R&D, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and workforce development.
The
event is March 18-20 in Arlington, Virginia.
WORKFORCE
The Governor’s Office once again keeps economic development professionals up to date both with the Governor's Notes, as well as by distributing information related to the
Workforce Training Strategy.Â
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