PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Our partner, the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department is embarking on a new era of leadership. Governor Kulongoski’s appointment of Housing and Community Services Director, and former State Representative Bob Repine will breathe new life into the state’s influence on economic expansion.

I don’t use the term “era” lightly. Many of us can identify the principle direction of economic development in Oregon under each of the past four gubernatorial administrations and of the agency’s corresponding administrations. We can also identify the influence the agency continues to have in our communities as a result of past leadership. With this in mind, the direction Repine takes this agency, the cooperative support he can garner from his colleagues in sister agencies, and the sustaining support he can establish from the Governor’s Office will be realized for many years to come.

As a legislative aid from southern Oregon in the early 90’s, I had countless opportunities to work for him, with him and to observe his leadership and conduct. My role stretched from driving his car in the Grants Pass 4^th of July parade in 1991 to watching him represent the interests of his constituents while I sat on the House floor working for a neighboring legislator. So I carry the pride of that history in expressing my absolute support for Repine’s appointment.

The Oregon Senate is scheduled to confirm Repine’s appointment in early April. I will be communicating OEDA’s support to legislators in the coming weeks.

OEDA’s working relationship with OECDD is fundamental in our collective success and in carrying out our association’s primary initiatives. As a result, I am equally pleased Mike Salsgiver will continue with the agency. Mike provided critical leadership in the last session at a time when legislative approval of the Department was challenged. His interface with key legislators was extraordinary. During the recent transition from Director Brantley to Repine he provided stability and set in motion pivotal changes renewing the agency’s focus and performance. His continued service to the state and his work with Repine will have lasting results.

PARTNERS

Gordon Safely Retiring from SOREDI

Gordon Safely is retiring from a successful 14 year commitment as serving as the Executive Director for Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc.

Under Gordon’s Leadership, SOREDI has grown from an Organization working to meet its monthly financial objectives to one with a $6.5 million revolving loan fund that has benefited over 150 local businesses.

Congratulations to Gordon…and thank you for being such a great team player throughout Oregon.

SEDCOR Appoints New Executive Director

SEDCOR (Strategic Economic Development Corporation) announced earlier this month that Raymond Burstedt has accepted the position of President affective March 1. Burstedt is replacing Larry Glassock who was honored at the OEDA 2005 Annual Conference as Economic Developer of the Year.

Glassock will work with Burstedt during the month of March to ensure a smooth transition of client prospects, development work with the Mill Creek Site, and other time-critical activities.

Burstedt comes to SEDCOR, having served as Executive Director of the Bannok Development Corporation, the Pocatello Development Authority, and the Industrial Development Corporation of Pocatello, Idaho.

PDC Announces Staffing Changes

Bob Alexander, PDC’s Economic Development Director, has recently been appointed by PDC Director Bruce Warner to serve as PDC’s Special Projects Director.

PROGRAMS AND RESOURCES

State Appoints Oregon Task Force on Land Use Planning

Governor Ted Kulongoski, Speaker of the House Karen Minnis, and Senate President Peter Courtney announced the appointment of a 10-member Oregon Task Force on Land Use Planning, whose mission is to chart the future of the State’s 30-year-old land use planning system. The Governor issued a press release in late January.

MARKETING EFFORTS

Recruitment Efforts and Successes Reported

The Brand Oregon campaign and OEDA’s business recruitment tradeshow effort is yielding results in terms of leads, prospects, and new business activity. OECDD produced a Power Point presentation summarizing this activity.

Brand Oregon Launches Ad Campaign Focused on Industry Clusters

The first Brand Oregon print ad of 2006, which appears in national business trade publications beginning this month, promotes the Oregon Display System Industry Consortium, an industry cluster that represents more that 25 technology companies and suppliers. Brand Oregon released a press release earlier this month providing more details of the campaign.

OREGON PROSPECTOR

Oregon Prospector Featured in National Publication

OEDA sub-contractor, GIS Planning, reports that Oregon Prospector received national attention in an article released this month.

OEDA currently has an AD HOC committee focused upon keeping Oregon Prospector a state-of-the-art tool. Look for an upgrade of www.oregonprospector.com in early March.

Oregon Prospector in National News

Business Expansion Journal included Oregon Prospector in a recent story about site location decision-making being transformed through advances in Internet technology. One of the most important improvements for site selection professionals and teams is access to GIS-powered site selection Web sites with online mapping analysis of local data.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

OEDA Announces Professional Development Training Series for 2006

Mark your calendars for April 10, July 10, and September 10-12 for OEDA’s 2006 Education and Professional Development training series.

A corporate site selector will send the latest trends and factors in business site location decision making at OEDA’s annual Spring Training on April 10 is Salem.

OEDA’s annual Summer Training will be in Central Oregon, and focused upon workforce training issues from the prospective of a site selection specialist.

OEDA’s Annual Conference, once again to be held at the Eugene Hilton, will run from September 10-12. Specific times, locations, and registration materials will be online shortly at www.oeda.biz. Look for a “Mark Your Calendar’s” postcard and email shortly.

WORKFORCE

Latest From the Governor’s Office

An update on resources for workforce development, strategic planning efforts, and OEDA’s plans for a workforce-oriented summer training event in Central Oregon are featured in this month’s Governor’s Notes.