Our electronic eCon Update newsletter normally is broadcast at the end of each month, however there are a few new news items that we wanted you to be aware of before the end of the month. 

EDCO WORKS TO MITIGATE MONACO CLOSURE

It was to our surprise and disappointment to hear just before noon on Friday that Beaver Motor Coaches (Monaco) would be relocating approximately 500 jobs to Coburg, Oregon by June 15.  Clearly, this is a significant shock to our local and regional economy and EDCO is already working with the company and other manufacturing employers in the tri-county area to make sure those employees who want to stay know of other local job opportunities.  Thus far, we have connected local Monaco managers with Fuqua Homes, Contact Lumber, Lancair and Epic Aircraft, all which have a number of openings.  Combined, these companies are looking to hire approximately 300 people within the next quarter or two.  If you know of other local employers that are looking to hire, please let us know at 388-3236 or via email at jennifer@edforco.org.   

EDCO is also working with Monaco top management on helping to market the site for sublease.  The six-building complex contains approximately 122,000 square feet.  If you know of any company or other user interested in this space, please contact us at info@edforco.org. 

For EDCO’s news release on the Monaco closure, please click here.

For the company’s official release visit: 

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050415/laf056.html?.v=5

SEMINAR AT CENTRAL OREGON TRADE FAIR ON THURSDAY

We also wanted remind our members and eCon Update subscribers of the Central Oregon Business Trade fair at the Redmond Fairgrounds on April 21.  In addition to the luncheon which will feature Michael Preissler from Delta Airlines (11:45am -1:00pm) there will be a not-to-be-missed seminar from 1:00-3:00pm by Robert Berman of Berman Consulting Group.  The seminar will feature “10 Key Business Development and Marketing Strategies for Guaranteed Success”.  Berman’s clients have included AT & T, Anheuser Busch, Bank of America, Boeing, Ford Motor Company, IBM, Key Bank, Microsoft, Nordstrom, and Verizon Wireless. The seminar is free!  

For more information or to RSVP contact the Redmond Chamber of Commerce at 932-5191 or info@visitredmondoregon.com   

To view the flyer in PDF format on the “10 Key Business Development and Marketing Strategies for Guaranteed Success”  seminar please click here. 

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS BEST PRACTICES WORKSHOP

OK is offering the latest in their series of “best practices” workshops, which will feature “QuickBooks for Your Business”.  The event will be held on May 11, 7:00-9:00am, at the Central Oregon Association of Realtors office in Bend.  The featured speaker is Karen Woodman, longtime COCC instructor and owner of QB Pro, Inc., a firm specializing in on-site Quickbooks consulting and training. Cost for OK members is $20 and $25 for non-members.  For more information visit OK’s new website at www.opp-knocks.org or contact Susie Stevens at Susie@opp-knocks.org or 318-4650.