FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 16, 2008
For more information:
Krista Hildebrand
503-467-468
khildebrand@frause.com
OREGON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION PRESENTS
2008 AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
SILVERTON, Ore. Efforts by organizations and individuals to grow and revitalize their local communities were recognized at the Oregon Economic Development Association’s 2008 Back-to-Business Conference, held September 28 through 30, 2008, at the Oregon Garden Resort in Silverton.
Winners of the awards were selected based on the best practices they have established that can be emulated by other economic development leaders in their own communities. The five award categories were:
- Economic Development Leader of the Year;
- Business Development Success Story;
- Creative Marketing and Promotions;
- Outstanding Collaborative Partnerships; and
- Rural Community Revitalization.
Economic Development Leader of the Year
Of all the individuals in Oregon that work diligently to provide resources and support for growth within their respective constituencies, Bud Prince rose above all others to be recognized as the 2008 Economic Development Leader of the Year. In addition to leading Redmond Economic Development, Inc., since 2003, Prince:
- served as a board member and Treasurer of OEDA;
- helped pass a $110 million school bond in Redmond, which provided two additional schools and renovations to other facilities;
- recruited 11 new companies and aided in 13 expansion projects for local companies in Redmond, resulting in 1,131 new jobs; and
- helped build the Redmond Enterprise Zone into one of Oregon’s most successful rural zones.
The Business Development Success Story Award was presented to Team Oregon for solar recruitments and expansions of five major solar technology manufacturers throughout Oregon. Team Oregon is comprised public-private collaboration led by the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department and includes, but is not limited to: the City of Gresham, City of Hillsboro, Portland Development Commission, PGE, Colliers International and Evergreen Engineering. Throughout 2008, Team Oregon recruited Peak Sun Silicon to Millersburg, Solar World to Hillsboro, Solaicx to Portland, XSunX to Wood Village and helped PV Powered expand in Bend. By 2011, a total of 1,750 new jobs will be added to Oregon’s economy as a result of the team’s efforts.
The Creative Marketing and Promotions Award was presented to Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI) for its innovative Southern Oregon Business Dinner and Publication. SOREDI featured 21 innovative Southern Oregon companies at its annual dinner in celebration of 21 years of service to the community. The marketing program focused on introducing local innovative small businesses to the general public. Each of the 21 companies had a short story written about them, which was published and distributed at the dinner.
The Outstanding Collaborative Partnerships Award was presented to the City of Salem for the unique three-part public, three-part private collaboration to develop 295 Church. The project established a goal of developing more downtown housing, a stronger community connection between Willamette University and downtown, and enhanced downtown economic vitality. As a result of this six-way partnership, 295 Church has been developed with 27 condominiums on the top three floors and 1,800-square-feet of retail on the first floor. A new City Information Technology facility and a new studio and office for Salem’s public access television station serve as anchor tenants for the redevelopment of this key downtown property
The Rural Community Development Award was presented to the City of Oakridge for the formation and implementation of its Unique Program for Business Enhancement and Advancement Together (UPBEAT). UPBEAT was designed to help create and sustain local businesses by developing a more vibrant and prosperous community. The program succeeded by tapping into the native intelligence and entrepreneurial spirit of local residents. By working with county, state and federal support services the city was able to help small businesses create and implement successful business plans. Since its inception in May of 2006, 15 new businesses opened and $2,201,500 in new investments was added to the local economy.
About the Oregon Economic Development Association
The Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA) is a statewide nonprofit organization whose members are representatives from public and private economic development organizations and corporations throughout Oregon who are committed to business expansion, recruitment and retention.
