FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2009
Contact: Randy Evans
503-823-0119
evansr@pcs.us
Oregon Economic Development Association
2009 Awards of Excellence in Economic Development
[click here to download PDF]
McMinnville, OR Efforts by organizations and individuals to increase economic vitality in their communities were recognized at the Oregon Economic Development Association’s 2009 Mission: Business Oregon Conference held October 11 through October 13 at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville.
Winners of the awards were selected based on innovative practices in their respective categories. The award categories were:
- Business Development Success Story
- Economic Development Marketing and Promotions
- Outstanding Collaborative Partnership
- Economic Development Leader of the Year
Business Development Success Story was presented to the City of Salem’s Urban Development Department for the creation of the Salem Renewable Energy & Technology Center and recruitment of SANYO Solar of Oregon, LLC as the anchor tenant of the Center. In recognition of the importance of renewable energy, the City of Salem has partnered with public and private organizations at the local, state and federal level, to develop and market an industrial park that aims to be a model in sustainable industrial development and will position Salem as a hub for renewable energy manufacturing. The partnership’s strength is evidenced by SANYO Solar of Oregon, LLC, the first anchor tenant, and continues with recruitment of additional sustainable industry to Salem.
The Economic Development and Marketing and Promotions award was presented to Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development, Inc. (SOREDI) for the SOREDI Northern California Business Reception. The SOREDI Northern California Business Reception was help in May 2009, in Pleasanton, California and was an effort to make it easy for smaller California-based companies to get the information they needed about doing business in Southern Oregon. Participants had an opportunity to hear from and speak to a number of experts in a variety of fields – energy, workers’ compensation insurance, real estate, development, and taxes – in an informal, confidential setting.
Outstanding Collaborative Partnership Award was presented to SEDCOR (the Strategic Economic Development Corporation), in Salem, for the Industrial Maintenance Operator/Mechanic Training Program (IMOM) created in partnership with Chemeketa Community College. SEDCOR and Chemeketa Community College collaborated to develop IMOM to provide the Salem region with an industry-driven workforce training program designed to advance the talent capabilities of existing employees and effectively transfer the knowledge and expertise of a seasoned workforce to the next generation of workers. The goal of the IMOM program is to become a model to not only prepare the next generation of replacement workforce, but also to stabilize the regional workforce needs resulting in accelerating the Salem region’s strategic global competitiveness.
Lynn Boussi, Senior Project Manager for Business and Industry Recruitment fromm the Portland Development Commission was selected as Economic Development Leader of the Year. As the point person for recruitment inquiries and coordination across the Portland region, Ms. Boussi plans an integral part in Oregon’s pursuit of economic opportunity. She serves as a resource on state and local programs, and connects colleagues and partners to help fulfill Oregon’s vision as a top choice for business. Her work with Erickson Air Crane is just one example. Beginning in August 2008, Ms. Boussi worked in collaboration with the state and directly with Erickson to keep the company headquarters here in Oregon. She stayed with the project over several months, finally verifying in February 2009 the decision to locate in Oregon. At the ribbon cutting event for Erickson’s new headquarters, Mayor Sam Adams singled out Ms Boussi in particular for her collaborative efforts.
About the Oregon Economic Development Association
The Oregon Economic Development Association (OEDA) is a statewide non-profit organization working to support economic development professionals who are on Oregon’s front line in diversifying and expanding Oregon’s economy.
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