Posted 2/28/2006
The eCon Update is not short anymore – there’s just too much happening in Central Oregon to keep the newsletter as concise as it once was! Please let us know if any of the information is of lesser relevance so we can keep it as manageable in length as possible.
HORIZON AIR ANNOUNCES NEW NON-STOP SERVICE TO LOS ANGELES, EUGENE Announced at EDCO’s 2006 Annual Luncheon, the surprise unveiling of new direct service from Redmond to LAX beginning August 1st during the presentation drew a hearty round of applause and cheers from the audience. EDCO has been working behind the scenes with the Redmond Airport, consultant Mead & Hunt, Sunriver Resort, Central Oregon Visitor’s Association (COVA) and the Central Air Service Task Force (COAST) to attract additional service on the heels of last year’s new non-stop jet flights to Salt Lake City. The new service will feature a new, larger aircraft for Redmond, the 74-seat Q400 turboprop, which is considerably faster and more comfortable than the smaller version of the Bombardier aircraft, which United currently flies to San Francisco. In addition to the 148 new seats to the Redmond market, the service has an added benefit of one daily round trip to Eugene since one of the flights originates there, with a stop in Redmond before proceeding to LA. The flights are already on Horizon’s system, and introductory one way fares of $99 are available for travel between Aug. 1st and Nov. 17th 2006. For more information about the new service and flight schedules,
click here to view the press release.
2006 CENTRAL OREGON JOB & CAREER EXPO MARCH 16th One of the largest recruitment events in Oregon this year, the Central Oregon Job & Career Expo is scheduled for March 16th, 12:00noon to 7:00pm at the Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center in Redmond. Last year’s event drew more than 55 companies and 2,000 job seekers, and this year’s event will be even larger. If your company is looking to hire, there is still time to reserve a space at the fair. This is a once-per year event, so don’t miss the opportunity! For more information contact Stacie Oberson, 383-0389 or email her at
soberson@bendbulletin.com.
DELTA TO ISSUE VOUCHERS FOR UNUSED TRAVEL BANK BALANCES
Today marks the sunset of the Delta Airline Travel Bank, so we wanted to remind participants that EDCO is working closely with Delta corporate representatives on travel vouchers for unused balances. ATB participants need not contact the airline - we are working to have vouchers issued automatically to companies which were unable to fully expend their contributions to the program.
The importance of the travel bank to securing the new Delta service can not be overstated – it was absolutely critical to its success the first year. The role this new carrier has played in helping to attract additional service from other carriers is also very important. A heartfelt thank you to all companies who participated and who can help take credit for all our new commercial air service!
OSU-CASCADES STUDENT BUSINESS PLAN PROGRAM SEEKING BUSINESSES OSU-Cascades Campus and EDCO have partnered to connect business students at Oregon State University’s Cascade Campus with local entrepreneurs. The program, in its second year, will provide students with hands-on business experience and offer Central Oregon entrepreneurs the opportunity to develop well-defined business plans for their ventures. OSU-Cascades’ BA460: New Venture Management class is a senior-level course in entrepreneurship in which students write business plans for start-up ventures.
EDCO will be compiling a list of interested entrepreneurs which will be presented to the students at the beginning of the Spring Quarter (starting April 14, 2006). Criteria for interested businesses include:
- A start-up business less than 1 year old;
- Completion of a brief application form submitted to EDCO; and
- A signed agreement if the project is selected (the agreement will address sharing of information, confidentiality, and expectations of contributions by the parties involved).
The deadline to apply is March 31, 2006. A review panel from the local business community will review and select one winning plan for presentation at the final Central Oregon PubTalk of the season on June 8, 2006.
Click here for a full description of the program and to download an application.
EDCO ANNUAL LUNCHEON DRAWS RECORD CROWDSold out nearly three weeks in advance, the 2006 EDCO Annual Luncheon packed St. Charles Medical Center’s conference facilities last Thursday. The program included a surprise announcement by Horizon Air (see headline above) and a “year in review” that listed some of EDCO’s major accomplishments in 2005. Also unveiled were some exciting developments in public and community relations, with the unveiling of new print and television ads for the organization. Look for the launch of those ads locally in the months ahead.
Keynote speaker Walt Sutton talked about lessons learned from a life of “serial entrepreneurship” and from nearly 1,500 interviews with CEOs around the world. EDCO was again pleased this year to partner with Bruce Juhola and TEC to bring Mr. Sutton as the keynote. Click here to view the presentations on the EDCO website.
REDMOND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL LUNCHEON A SUCCESS On February 2nd, 130 representatives of the Redmond business community, City officials, industrial companies, and local elected officials turned out to get an update of economic development activities in the Redmond area. Mike Salsgiver, Interim Director for Oregon’s Economic & Community Development Department in Salem was the keynote speaker. The results of the second annual survey taken at the meeting indicated that Redmond’s economy is on track for an even stronger showing this year than last. Over half of the respondents expect to expand their business in the near term.
NEW DIRECTORS JOIN THE EDCO BOARDEDCO is pleased to welcome several new board members this month to the growing EDCO Board of Directors. Amy Tykeson of BendBroadband and Greg Yeakel of Summit Real Estate joined the board as a new Platinum Level Members, while Chris Telfer of ANSER replaced Bruce Abernethy as a City of Bend appointment. Representing Crook County, Greg Lambert of Mid Oregon Personnel replaced Von Thompson, who after a long tenure on the EDCO Board and Executive Committee resigned to dedicate more time to retirement. We are expecting two to four new members in the months ahead with a new representative from Prineville, possibly a new representative for Madras, a new COVA ex-officio representative and one vacant Platinum Level seat.
MILKEN INSTITUTE RANKS BEND AMONG TOP PERFORMING CITIES According to the Milken Institute’s Best Performing Cities Index, Bend is in an elite class of metros in the U.S. with exceptional job and salary growth as well as technology output growth. Bend was ranked #2 in the nation among America’s 179 smallest metropolitan areas behind Fort Walton Bend/Crestview/Destin, Florida. Since Bend/Deschutes County just recently became a new MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) this past year, it was not on previous rankings. For the complete report and methodology, visit
http://bestcities.milkeninstitute.org/bc179_2005.html.
KIPLINGER SITES BEND AS ONE OF THE BEST LOCATIONS FOR START-UPS
Just one more bit of good press for the region, Bend was named in the January 20th edition of The Kiplinger Letter as “a promising place for (business) start ups.” It was the only Oregon community mentioned.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE MARCH PUB TALK
EDCO is again pleased to bring the next of the successful Pub Talk series – a relaxed gathering of entrepreneurs, investors and early stage companies. We will gather again the evening of Thursday, March 9th to hear more success stories (or lessons learned) and early stage company presentations.
Where: McMenamin's Old St. Francis School – Fr. Luke’s Room - Downtown Bend
When: Thursday, March 9th, 5:00 – 7:30 pm
Cost: $15 for EDCO; $25 for non-members
You may RSVP here or call EDCO at 388-3236.
BEND 2030 LOOKING FOR INPUT
Bend 2030 is a community visioning process looking 25 years into the future of Bend. Working with input from the wider public, the Vision Task Force (27 citizen volunteers) will oversee and steward the development of the community’s vision statement and set the stage for an action plan. The project has been active since October and is now half way through its first phase and in the beginning development stages of the vision. On Saturday, March 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., the Vision Summit will be held at Summit High School where the public is invited to develop and prioritize vision ideas. Pre-registration for the Vision Summit and information about the entire project can be found at
www.Bend2030.org.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS (OK) ANNOUNCES NEXT IN BEST PRACTICES WORKSHOPSWednesday morning (7:00-9:00am), March 15, Opportunity Knocks is presenting a Best Practices workshop on “Finding and Keeping Extraordinary Employees”. Speakers Connie Worrell Druliner and Stephanie Miller of Express Personnel Services will talk about successful, systematic approaches to hiring, understanding the new workforce and retaining multi-generational staff. For more information, contact OK at 318-4650, visit their website at
www.opp-knocks.org or email
cathy@opp-knocks.org.
COHRA TO CONDUCT WORKFORCE HOUSING SURVEYAs the tri-county area grows, quality affordable housing close to employment opportunities is critical to the region’s economic health. To better quantify the current situation, CORHA (Central Oregon Regional Housing Authority) and its community partners are developing a Central Oregon Housing Needs Assessment focused on workforce housing in the region and its impact on the economy. The report produced from this study will provide each community and county, as well as the region, with employment analysis, housing-related impacts on the economy, the homeownership and rental markets, a gap/demand analysis, and conclusions and recommendations.
Approximately 1,000 employers throughout the region will be surveyed to collect data for the report. Rees Consulting, housing needs assessment specialist from Colorado, has been contracted to conduct the survey. Several of you will receive your survey within the next few weeks, so please take a few moments to fill it out and return it. All information provided will be kept completely confidential. Your help is imperative to make the report as accurate as possible.
The final report will be available in late April for free download by the public on the CORHA website (www.corha.org).
WELCOME NEW EDCO MEMBERS!
PLATINUM LEVEL MEMBERS
Summit Real Estate – Greg Yeakel
Owner and Broker Greg Yeakel, a third generation broker, brings 30 years of land acquisition and development experience to the industry. Summit is described as a smaller, specialty real estate company with services designed for the specific markets of new construction, residential land development and marketing and sales. Greg’s goal in establishing Summit Real Estate was to "raise the bar of service and expertise" in the real estate industry and he credits their success to their expertise and experience in the field. To learn more, you may contact them at 541-312-3312 or visit their web site at www.summitrealestatebend.com.
SILVER LEVEL MEMBERS
Ruff Wear – Will Blount
Ruff Wear, maker of outdoor gear for dogs, began ten years ago with a one-man, one-product garage operation. Today they are an international company based out of Bend offering 39 gear options for dogs. Ruff Wear continues to create solutions that provide a foundation for safe, comfortable, and enjoyable adventures For Dogs on the Go®. Their products are designed to work in the background almost unnoticed as it performs its intended task. For more information please visit their web site at www.ruffwear.com.
BRONZE LEVEL MEMBERS
Cascade Natural Gas Corporation – Mike Clapp
In 1953, Cascade Natural Gas Corporation was formed to serve Pacific Northwest communities with clean, affordable natural gas. Today, Cascade's 385 employees serve about 230,000 customers in 91 cities and towns throughout Washington and Oregon. Their mission is to be an integral part of the community with a firm commitment to being there when you need them. They believe strongly in supporting the communities they serve in the form of conservation education, employee volunteerism, corporate giving, and matching funds for employee donations made to local non-profit organizations. To learn more you may visit their web site at www.cngc.com.
The Mountain Group, LLC – Tom Pickell
The Mountain Group offers proven solutions to challenges businesses may face. They work alongside executive teams, bringing the right tools to bear when businesses are facing a point of inflection, whether that is facilitating a strategic redirection, leading turnarounds and workouts or piloting acquisition or divestitures. For more information, please contact them at 541-318-3401 or visit their web site at www.mtngroup.net.
Opportunity Knocks – Susie Stevens
Opportunity Knocks is an entrepreneurially-managed, volunteer-driven small business assistance organization whose mission is to train, educate and provide problem solving opportunities to small business owners. The majority of their services involve peer-to-peer learning, in either a Board of Advisors setting or in a seminar format. Their focus is to help mediocre businesses transition to good, and good businesses transition to great. To learn more about OK, please visit their web site at www.opp-knocks.org.
INDIVIDUAL LEVEL MEMBERS
Golden Visions Success Coaching – Ann Golden Egle
Golden Visions Success Coaching, established in 1997, focuses on coaching executives in both business and life for optimal success. Coaching is an alliance, which is designed individually with each client and coach, to enhance the client’s lifelong process of discovery, effectiveness, purpose, happiness and fulfillment. Dedicated to moving her clients forward, Ann Golden Egle provides insight and intuition and is sought after for her coaching, speaking and writing. For more information, contact Golden Visions Success Coaching at 541-385-8887 or visit the web site at www.gvsuccess.com.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Qwest Communications is Central Oregon’s leading provider of high speed internet, data, video, and voice services. Serving the communities of Warm Springs, Madras, Prineville, Sisters, Bend, Redmond, LaPine and Sun River, they connect Central Oregon to the outside world by the Central Oregon self-healing fiber ring providing redundancy in the event of a major outage. Qwest has been a proud EDCO Platinum member since 1995.
Qwest and the Qwest Foundation have been very active in Central Oregon throughout the years, supporting programs like the Cascade Festival of Music and BendFilm. They have also has sponsored smaller local community-type events such as the Sunfest in Redmond. The Qwest Foundation has given many statewide grants that also help Central Oregon businesses. An example would be the work that the Qwest Foundation is doing with the Oregon Small Business Development Centers with online business training. Further dedication to Central Oregon is evident by the fact that many Qwest employees and retirees devote volunteer time working to make our region a better place to live. For more information about Qwest visit www.qwest.com.
PENDING RECRUITMENT PROJECTSWithout breaching constraints of confidentiality, we want to make you aware of a few of our pending projects for the region. As is typical this time of year, lead flow has died down over the past 30 days. They include but are not limited to:
- EDCO was able to garner considerable interest this year at the Medical Device & Manufacturing Show in Anaheim held Jan. 30th -Feb. 1st. We have several leads including an anesthesia equipment manufacturer, a contract manufacturer in plastics, rubber and machining, and several medical device manufacturers from the West Coast that had an interest in Central Oregon. Additionally, we were able to connect with several companies from Oregon that were attending the show and serving the industry – several of which may have possible expansion plans for the region.
- A recreational equipment manufacturer and retailer from the Puget Sound area is continuing to evaluate Redmond for relocation of its headquarters and distribution facilities. The combined operation would employ 40-50 people at higher than average wages would occupy 30,000 to 40,000 square feet. The company president will be back for a visit the first week of February.
- ODS Companies, a longtime Oregon-based employer, is continuing discussions with the City of Redmond on building a new processing facility and dental hygiene school in the downtown core. The project would result in more than 100 new family-wage jobs. The company hopes to make a decision in the second quarter of this year.
- EDCO is working 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 positions.
- A Portland-metro based manufacturer supplying the automotive industry is looking at possible relocation to Redmond. The company would build a new facility and employ approximately 20 people at higher than average wages plus a generous benefit package.
PENDING RETENTION/EXPANSION PROJECTS
- A Central Oregon based company supplying the specialty automotive industry is looking at construction of a new, combined facility. The company is investigating property options currently and is working with RED and the City of Redmond.
- EDCO is working with Keith Manufacturing in Madras on possible new expansion and LEAN production efficiency for their manufacturing operations. Founded in Madras more than 50 years ago, the company has built a clientele worldwide and is looking toward future growth.
- 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.
- A recreational equipment manufacturer in Bend is looking to expand to a 5-8 acre site somewhere in the Central Oregon region. EDCO is assisting the company with real estate information, logistics and information on incentives.
FEEDBACKWe would love to hear your thoughts and comments about this electronic newsletter and ways to improve it. Just fire back a
response. Once again, thank you for your support and interest – we are working hard to make the most of your contributions to help strengthen and diversify the regional economy!
