Posted 3/30/2006
Issue 3, Volume V
AEROSPACE/AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY ROUNDTABLE TARGETS FAA BOTTLENECK
Working in coordination with Senator Ron Wyden’s Office and Columbia Aircraft, EDCO helped bring together a roundtable of aerospace and aircraft company representatives from the tri-county area on March 21st to talk about opportunities and challenges for the industry, which now represents more than 1,300 jobs in Central Oregon. Nearly all speakers at the roundtable noted that the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) was a considerable roadblock to future growth of their companies and the industry as a whole. Concerns ranged from slow response times (in some cases years) to lack of manpower to an over-emphasis on enforcement. Columbia Aircraft VP Ron Wright provided an illuminating illustration of how he and other general aviation manufacturers see the current operation of the FAA (and how it impedes growth, innovation and safety within the industry) and how using the same resources, the administration could be more of a partner, advocate and ombudsman for aviation (for a PDF of this diagram, click here).
The roundtable concluded with a promise from Senator Wyden to look into the issue both at the regional and federal level. In the months ahead, EDCO will be working with companies in the industry within the region and Oregon on a second roundtable later this year with Sen. Wyden and other Oregon congressmen to re-address this issue and other opportunities.
2006 CENTRAL OREGON JOB & CAREER EXPO A HIT WITH EMPLOYERS
According to a majority of the 66 employers who set up booths and information at the Central Oregon Job and Career Expo on March 16th, the event was a great success. More than 1,300 job seekers turned out for the seven-hour fair and many employers commented that they had been able to connect with job seekers new to the region. 500 applications were submitted during the expo with each employer collecting anywhere from 10-50 job applications. The Oregon Employment Department will be following up with each business to track how many job expo participants were actually hired. EDCO will report these numbers as they become available.
OREGON EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT HOLDS LOCAL JOB & CAREER FAIRS
In a proactive effort to make progress on the region’s growing issue of workforce availability, the Oregon Employment Department (OED) is also holding local job fairs throughout the region. The first will be at the Crook County Fairgrounds on April 25th from 1:00-6:00pm. The next fair will be held on May 4th from 2:00-5:00pm at the WorkSource Bend Employment Department at 1645 NE Forbes Road, Suite 100. For more information about the Prineville event, contact Teresa at 447-8076 ext 22, and for the Bend fair contact Katy Fitzsimons at 388-6070 ext 6095.
CENTRAL OREGON BUSINESS TRADE FAIR
The 2006 Central Oregon Business Trade Fair will be held on Thursday, April 27th from 1:00-7:00pm at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds and Expo Center. The trade fair is a venue for Central Oregon businesses to share information, strategize for future success, and promote small business services and products. More information on the fair is available on the Redmond Chamber website, http://www.redmondcofc.com/ or you can call 923-5191.
REDMOND HITS A HOME RUN IN BUSINESS RECRUITMENT
Community leaders in Redmond are looking forward to “rounding the bases” with a grand slam of three exciting new business recruitment projects. Earlier this month, top leadership of TYM USA, a Korean-based manufacturer of light and medium duty tractors, were in town for a ceremonial ribbon cutting of the company’s new 20,000 sf distribution center in Redmond. Plans are already in place to nearly double the size of the facility next year. The distribution center is the company’s first in the U.S., and will house light assembly and warehousing for an 11 state area. According to EDCO manager for Redmond Economic Development, Bud Prince, the project could open the door to further direct foreign investment and jobs for the community from TYM and other Korean manufacturers.
Other good news on the business development front was the announcement by ODS Companies to build a new claims processing center and dental hygiene school in downtown Redmond. The announcement culminates a year of effort by EDCO, the City of Redmond, the Redmond Chamber and other community leaders to beat out other Oregon communities for the project. Location for the combined facility, which will employ approximately 120 people, is still being worked out but what is known is that the company has a history of building beautiful, “Class A” buildings.
A third project is in the final stages of a year-long recruitment by EDCO and RED that would bring relocation of a new headquarter firm and distribution facility from outside Oregon. The project is on a fast track timeline - the company would occupy a new 35,000 sf building by the first of September and bring 40-50 new, well-paying jobs to the Redmond area. We hope to announce the name of the company and more about its industry in next month’s eCon Update newsletter
DELTA AIRLINE TRAVEL BANK STILL IN EFFECT
We are just past the one month anniversary since the contractual end of the Delta Airline Travel Bank. Over the past thirty days EDCO has been working diligently to extend the program through the end of 2006 in the place of travel vouchers. While this issue is not yet officially resolved with Delta, ATB participants can still use their cards to purchase travel. At the time the program was scheduled to sunset, we still had 100 of 120 companies with some balance left on their account which represented an aggregate of just over $86,000. Of these, roughly half had balances of less than $300 – less than the purchase price of most round-trip tickets. We are encouraging participants to continue using their ATB cards in an attempt to zero out their remaining funds as rapidly as possible. The extension of the deadline will likely take the place of travel vouchers. If you have any questions or need recommendations on how to best use your remaining funds don’t hesitate to contact our office at 388-3236.
DESCHUTES COUNTY MENTION IN NEWSWEEK
In a feature titled “Saying Goodbye to the Burbs”, Newsweek identified Deschutes County, along with six other areas around the U.S., as “an area of interest” that has seen sizable change in population from 2000 to 2005. To see the entire piece visit our in the news section by clicking here.
DRUG FREE WORKPLACE INITIATIVE LAUNCHED
Nearly 100 people attended the kick-off breakfast for the Bend Chamber’s Drug-free Workplace Initiative last week at St. Charles Medical Center. The initiative is designed to assist businesses in establishing drug-free workplaces, and more workshops in the future will help businesses reach that goal. A panel of experts that included representatives from legal, human resources, medical, operations and the public safety fields provided valuable information about their experiences with illegal drug use and drug-testing policies. According to recent statistics, Central Oregon in 2005 had the highest positive drug-testing rates (mostly among pre-employment applicants), with 8.4 percent of people failing drug tests. The statewide average last year was 6.3 percent. For more information about the initiative or moving your company towards implementing a drug-free work policy, contact the Bend Chamber at 382-3221.
NEW DIRECTOR JOINS THE EDCO BOARD
EDCO is pleased to welcome back a familiar face to the Board of Directors – Connie Worrell-Druliner, owner of Express Personnel Services & Express Professional Staffing who just upped their membership to the Platinum Level (see profile below). A longtime member of the organization, Connie served as the EDCO President in 1990 and again in 2000 and has served on the Board in the past as a member-elected representative. One of the most active community leaders in the region, Connie has received many awards for her service including being named the 2005 Citizen of the Year awarded by the Bend Chamber, being a recipient of the Gordon Blair Heritage Award by Express Personnel International (the highest honor possible for a franchisee) and being named as the first inductee to the into the Women of Inspiration Hall of Fame by the Women’s Resource Center of Central Oregon. Connie is the ninth woman business leader to join the current EDCO Board of Directors.
APRIL 13 PUBTALK FEATURES CAROLYN MCKNIGHT OF PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY
"The Mythology of Leadership: What's Your Story?"
Carolyn McKnight oversees the execution of the new MBA+ curriculum in the School of Business Administration at Portland State University. Carolyn is also an acknowledged figure in the area of corporate leadership and organizational development for over 25 years. Before joining the School of Business Administration, she was Vice President of Organizational and Personal Development at Planar Systems in Beaverton, OR where she led executive and leadership development, human resources, and corporate efforts to embed intentional culture. She earlier worked for Tektronix as Director of International Human Resources, and spent four additional years managing a private consulting practice focused on large scale change efforts with high-tech multi-national clients.
At Portland State University she is responsible for executing the "360-degree assessments" and individual coaching that MBA+ candidates receive as an integral part of their graduate business degree experience. For a full bio, click here.
Where: McMenamin's Old St. Francis School – Fr. Luke’s Room - Downtown Bend
When: Thursday, April 13th, 5:00 – 7:30 pm
Cost: $15 for EDCO; $25 for non-members
CLICK HERE TO RSVP or call EDCO at 388-3236 to RSVP.
WELCOME NEW EDCO MEMBERS!
PLATINUM LEVEL MEMBERS
Express Personnel Services & Express Professional Staffing – Connie Worrell-Druliner
An EDCO member since 1996, Express Personnel Services in Central Oregon was one of 20 original franchisees. Today, Express boasts over 455 franchises in the United States, Canada, South Africa and Australia. Express reached $1.33 billion in revenues in 2005, and projects $2 billion by the year 2008. Express Personnel is the largest staffing agency in Central Oregon with offices in Bend and Redmond. In addition to temp and permanent placement services, Express also has search and placement division for higher level professionals in management, engineering and IT. For more information visit: www.expresspersonnel.com/office.asp?
GOLD LEVEL MEMBERS
Pahlisch Homes – Brian Bergler
Pahlisch Homes is a locally based, family owned business. The company started in the Willamette Valley, and more than two decades later they have built more than 1,700 homes in over 30 Pahlisch neighborhoods. In 2002, the Pahlisch team moved all operations from Corvallis to Central Oregon, where they have built ten new neighborhoods and hundreds of homes in Bend, La Pine, Redmond, and Prineville. Pahlisch designs and constructs showcase residences, single-family dwellings and townhomes or courtyards homes. For more information please visit their web site at www.pahlischhomes.com.
Pronghorn – Thomas Hix and Scott Denney
Tom Hix and Scott Denney, partners and founders of High Desert Development Company, head up the vision for Pronghorn. Hix brings years of investment and development experience from Hix Rubenstein Companies, which has a portfolio of properties totaling 8,000 acres with a value of over $200 million. Denney has two decades of experience in building golf courses across the US, including with Nicklaus Design. Seeing the potential of the 20,000 acres in between Bend and Redmond surrounded by federal land, they teamed up to bring the first five-star luxury resort and private golf community to Central Oregon Bend. The development features two of the best golf design teams in the world – Nicklaus Design and Fazio Design. To learn more about the development and company, please visit their web site at www.pronghornclub.com.
SILVER LEVEL MEMBERS
Dutch Pacific Properties, Inc. - Shane Lundgren
Dutch Pacific makes equity investments in strategic real estate holdings in the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on the fast-growing Central Oregon market. The company is a leading real estate venture firm for early stage deals with initial capital needs of between $500K and $5 Million. The company’s most recent local venture is in Sisters with the new Sun Ranch mixed use business park and former Conklin House Bed & Breakfast, which is being converted into a new high-end cabin retreat development. The Sun Ranch development, just west of the Sisters Airport, features half to one acre lots for commercial, light industrial and other business uses. For more information call 541-588-9226.
BRONZE LEVEL MEMBERS
Summit Accommodators, Inc. – Tim Larkin
Summit specializes in 1031 asset exchanges, which help property investors and business owners defer the taxes on selling an appreciated business or investment properties outright. They are one of the oldest and most experienced intermediary companies in the country, and one of the few Qualified Intermediaries owned by CPAs and operated by both CPAs and attorneys. Based in Bend, Summit was founded in 1991 and has been involved in over 10,000 exchange closing transactions totaling over $1 billion. To learn more, please visit their web site at www.summit1031.com.
INDIVIDUAL LEVEL MEMBERS
Edward Jones Investments – Brian Stallcop
Edward Jones is a leader in the financial-services industry and they take a personal approach to business, starting with a face-to-face meeting and culminating with trust earned through a long-term relationship. A dedication to community involvement is one way in which Edward Jones gives back to the communities that have given so much to them. For more information contact Brian at brian.stallcop@edwardjones.com or 541-382-7398.
Futures Advice LLC / Cascade View Investments – Jay Layton
Futures Advice LLC is a commodities futures brokerage company that works through ADM investor services. The company’s focus is primarily on the agriculture industry. Jay’s other venture is Cascade View Investments, which developed the Pence Place Solar Town Homes in Bend and also maintains a number of rental properties. The consummate entrepreneur, Jay continues to look for other investment and development opportunities in the area, and specifically those that deal with renewable solar energy. To learn more please contact Jay at 541-390-3082.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Bryant, Lovlien & Jarvis, PC
Bryant, Lovlien & Jarvis, PC is a full service law firm serving Central Oregon with dedication and commitment since 1915. The firm has grown over the years to 15 lawyers who represent clients on a broad range of legal matters including business and corporate matters, real estate, land use, estate planning, litigation, water law, and family law. The firm represents a wide array of clients including public agencies, municipalities, banks, small and large business, and individuals.
The firm has been a member of EDCO since 1996 and Bob Lovlien served on EDCO’s Board of Directors for several years and as the Board President in 2005. John Sorlie was elected in 2005 by the membership to represent Bronze level members on the EDCO Board.
The firm’s lawyers also participate throughout the community through public service and leadership. Each of the firm's lawyers serve on one or more community boards including among many: Oregon State University, OMSI, High Desert Museum, Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Organization, Deschutes Children's Foundation, Kemple Children's Dental Clinic, J Bar J Properties Board, Bend Park and Recreation Foundation, EDCO, Mountain Star Family Relief Nursery, and the Cascade Cycling Classic. For more information please visit their web site at www.bljlawyers.com or call them at 541-382-4331.
PENDING RECRUITMENT PROJECTS
Without breaching constraints of confidentiality, we want to make you aware of a few of our pending projects for the region. They include but are not limited to:
- As reported above “Redmond Hits a Home Run…” the past year of recruitment efforts has been very fruitful for the Redmond area. EDCO credits the community, for having a great team in place at the City of Redmond, the efforts of Bud Prince, the Redmond Chamber, and many, many behind-the-scenes volunteers. Combined, these projects will bring an estimated $11 million in new capital investment and nearly 200 new, well-paying jobs. With announcement of these projects we are already working on several more promising ones for Redmond and the other communities of Central Oregon.
- A metal fabrication company that EDCO has been working with for the past two years is showing renewed interest in expansion and possible relocation to the Redmond area. The project could bring 80-100 new jobs initially, with more possible in the future.
- A medical device company based in the Pacific Northwest is interested in relocating its headquarters, manufacturing and assembly operations to the Central Oregon area. A lead we generated at a recent trade show, the company is looking to make a site visit later this spring.
- EDCO continues to work with the principals of a new motorcycle manufacturing company that is interested in looking at Central Oregon for its headquarters and assembly operations. The project would occupy approximately 50,000 square feet and employ 150-200 people in a variety of professional and assembly/production positions.
PENDING RETENTION/EXPANSION PROJECTS
- A Central Oregon based company supplying the agriculture industry is looking to construct a new facility in Prineville that would include warehouse, processing and retail operations. EDCO is working with the company on enterprise zone approval.
- Another Central Oregon based secondary wood products manufacturer is moving forward with plans to move out of lease space and relocate to a new site in Prineville. The company will bring 120 new jobs to the community and is looking to renovate a former mill site on the outskirts of town. EDCO is working with the company on business financing and enterprise zone approval.
- Epic Aircraft continues to expand at the Bend Airport, now employing nearly 100 people at the company’s 90,000 sf facility. The company recently received the green light by the FAA on its Epic LT kit aircraft, and delivered its first plane last month. Epic has a backlog of more than 60 aircraft orders and is working on R & D for a new twin engine jet. EDCO is working with the company on workforce training and business development incentives.
- Earlier this month Madras-based Keith Manufacturing was recently awarded a Workforce Response Team (WRT) training grant to assist with LEAN manufacturing training for supervisors. HOST Industries, manufacturer of high-end campers and RVs also received workforce training assistance in the form of a $17,000 grant to help with training for fabrication of a new line of RV products. Structus Building Technology, a leading innovator in research, development, production and delivery of construction products – specifically engineered drywall components, rounded out workforce grants with a WRT $25,000 award also for implementation of company-wide LEAN manufacturing training. EDCO played a key role in educating all of the companies receiving grant funding about the program.
- Currently located in downtown Redmond, High Desert Glass and Décor is moving to a new 10,000 SF building located in the Airport Business Center on SW Umatilla Avenue near the Redmond Airport. The walls are up and the building is taking shape with expectations to move their expanding glass fabrication business (that qualified for the City’s Enterprise Zone incentives) into their new building later this spring.
- Construction is well underway on TrueLine Steel’s new 7,000 SF industrial building on NE Hemlock Avenue in Redmond. The company manufactures steel building construction components for clients throughout the western U.S. Company growth combined with the benefits of Redmond’s Enterprise Zone program prompted the decision to shift from leasing to owning its own space. TruLine employs six people and anticipates occupying their new building later this spring.
FEEDBACK
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